Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to return from injury in the upcoming match against Wolves. The Brazil international had been sidelined for the last two matches due to a hamstring problem but has now returned to training and is set to reclaim his place from Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher.
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said:
"He trained yesterday a part of our session with the group so we are expecting him to do the whole session today, so we think he is available, Of course, we are really happy with Alisson being back but I want to emphasise that Caoimh did really well in the two games he played for us, so (it is) another example of me having two, or I think even three, good options in goal."
In other team news, Slot acknowledged that winger Luis Diaz's goal return last season was below expectations. However, he noted that the Colombian player appears to be back on track this season. Diaz faced personal issues last year following the kidnapping of his parents in Colombia, with his father not being released for 13 days. Despite these challenges, he managed 13 goals in the campaign but only eight of those came in Premier League matches.
This term seems more promising as Diaz has scored five goals in his last four league matches - a tally surpassed only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. In an interview with Sky Sports this week, Diaz praised Slot's coaching style as "spectacular".
Coach Slot downplays his role
When asked about Diaz’s improvement under his guidance, Coach Slot downplayed his role stating: "It’s difficult for me to judge because I wasn’t here last season." He further added that he feels privileged with an embarrassment of riches up front where he has two players available for every position.
Arne Slot added:
"It’s still a small sample size we are talking about and I said before when it comes to us winning quite a lot of games until now, almost all the teams we have faced have been in the bottom half of the table. He scored eight league goals last season. For me he was someone who could score a goal and eight is, for his quality, not of his standard. Then I think he comes back to his normal situation. Maybe he was a bit unlucky last season but a player of his quality will always score a lot of goals every season.
"We train on a daily basis trying to get them as close as we can in certain situations and help in the best possible way where to position themselves and what to do in certain situations. But it is mainly in the last third of the pitch the quality of the player and the finishing he has and I think he always had this."
Slot made history by becoming the first Liverpool manager since Tom Watson in 1896 to register six wins from his opening seven matches across all competitions.
Liverpool's scoring prowess this season
Liverpool's attacking prowess this season is evident as they have scored 15 out of their total 18 goals through their forwards, Luis Diaz leads with five goals, Mohamed Salah follows closely behind with four goals across all competitions, Diogo Jota has scored three goals and Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez have contributed two and one goal respectively.
The only new signing yet to find the net is Federico Chiesa, who has played only 80 minutes over three games. Liverpool fans can look forward to an exciting match against Wolves with the return of Alisson Becker and a resurgent Luis Diaz. The team's impressive scoring record this season also promises an engaging game for both sports fans and sports betting enthusiast
