Liverpool face anxious wait over Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold as Federico Chiesa returns

The only downer on Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa was the sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold limping off midway through the first half. Having pointed to his hamstring when speaking to Arne Slot, his head coach admitted post-match that he expected the defender to miss England duty during the November international break.

While the severity of the right-back’s setback remains to be seen, the Reds are at least expected to be handed an injury boost when they return to club action later this month.

And after goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah saw them extend their lead at the top of the table to five points, they’ll resume proceedings full of confidence too.

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A trip to Southampton awaits on Sunday, November 24, before a mouth-watering Anfield double-header against Real Madrid and Man City.

And with Slot’s ranks set to bolstered by returning bodies, even in lieu of a potential Alexander-Arnold injury blow, the ECHO takes a look at the side the Dutchman could select against the Saints…

Alisson returns?

Alisson Becker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since Liverpool’s win at Crystal Palace at the start of October, but had been tipped to return to action following the November international break.

While it remains to be seen if he will be passed fit in time for the trip to St. Mary’s, Slot has already confirmed that the Brazilian will instantly regain his starting berth from Caoimhin Kelleher when available for selection once more.

In defence, Conor Bradley is on standby to start in the absence of the injured Alexander-Arnold, with Joe Gomez an alternative. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will continue at centre-back, while Slot continues to rotate at left-back between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas after recalling the Scot against Villa.

Mac Allister makes way?

Like Alisson, Harvey Elliott is expected back from a fractured foot after the international break. But it would be a surprise to see him thrown straight into the starting XI if passed fit to face Southampton.

Consequently, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister continue to compete for the two starting places alongside Ryan Gravenberch.

Having named an unchanged midfield against Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa, with the Hungarian on the bench, Slot could be tempted to stick with the same starting trio.

However, with Mac Allister again in international action for Argentina and having to contend with vast travelling times and time zones, Szoboszlai could be recalled at his expense - even taking into account the Sunday kick-off - with Jones dropping deeper depending on his condition when back.

Gakpo recalled as Chiesa returns

Both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez also have the same international break issues to contend with as Mac Allister, meaning it perhaps makes sense for only one of them to start against Southampton.

Cody Gakpo will start on the left-wing as a result, with the South American pair battling to start as centre-forward against the Saints’ likely back five.

Spared Egypt duty, Mohamed Salah will start on the right. Federico Chiesa could return to the matchday squad following Slot’s latest update on the Italian, but Diogo Jota is unlikely to be fit in time with a December return now looking more likely.