Football Today
·10 November 2024
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·10 November 2024
Liverpool head into the international break sitting top of the Premier League table after 11 games.
Arne Slot is very pleased with how his team has progressed in such a short time, but he understands that tougher challenges are lying ahead.
After Manchester City lost 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, the door was open for Liverpool to extend the gap at the top.
The Reds players made sure they ended up leaving the pitch with all three points on the board as they won 2-0 against Aston Villa.
Darin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored for the Reds, and they went five points clear at the top of the table.
The only disappointment from the match is the injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds defender picked up a hamstring injury in the 25th minute, and he couldn’t continue.
The club shared the injury update on their official website, where Arne Slot suggested that it is ‘difficult’ to say how serious the injury is.
“He didn’t ask for it because he was tired, he asked for it because he felt something,” said Slot.
“That’s first of all not a good sign, but it is always difficult so close after the game to tell you exactly what it is. Let’s wait and see.
“I would be surprised if we will see him playing for the England national team this week, but hopefully he can.”
The November international break could not have come at the best possible time for Liverpool.
The Reds would be able to welcome back Diogo Jota, Alisson, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa after the break, and Slot will have more options to choose from.
Alexander-Arnold should opt out of international duty and get adequate rest.
While the Reds do have Conor Bradley as a reliable back-up option, they will need Alexander-Arnold to be in his prime form after the break.
The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Anfield and he is yet to sign a new deal.