Caoimhin Kelleher to start mouth-watering fixtures as Liverpool dealt bittersweet injury news
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted he will not get distracted by upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City as he prepares for Sunday’s trip to Southampton.
Big fixtures are looming for the Premier League leaders in the next 10 days – with Madrid due at Anfield on November 27 before City visit next weekend.
But Slot said that would have no effect on his team selection for the game away to a Saints side who sit bottom of the league with only four points from 11 games.
“We indeed have incredible fixtures coming up, starting with Southampton,” Slot said. “That is always by far the most important game. If we want to enjoy the other games the best thing you can do is always go in with a win.
“It has no effect at all on the team selection. What does have an effect is the playing style of Southampton, the players coming back from South America and the injuries we have. Those are the only things.”
Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold all remain out but Virgil van Dijk and Harvey Elliott are back in training, with Van Dijk passed fit despite returning from international duty early.
“We all know the teams we face in this league are able to have the same run of games we had. If we want to stay where we are we have to keep bringing the results, which is not going to be easy, starting on Sunday.
“It’s not going to be easy even if everyone feels it is (because they are) bottom of the league. (Southampton) do not play at all like this and they made it difficult for teams that are in the the top three of four. Their playing style is very interesting, it is a joy to watch their games.”
