In a significant development at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre, Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott have made their long-awaited return to training during the international break, bringing positive news to the Reds’ camp. However, summer signing Federico Chiesa continues his recovery program, raising questions about his immediate availability.
Critical Returns Boost Squad Depth
Harvey Elliott, the 21-year-old midfielder who had been sidelined since September with a fractured foot suffered during England Under-21 duty, participated in full training sessions. Elliott’s return could not have come at a better time, as he looks to improve upon his limited Premier League appearances this season, having played just seven minutes before his injury.
Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, was spotted in full training gear, showing clear signs of progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since early October. The Brazilian’s return would significantly strengthen Liverpool’s defensive unit as they enter a crucial phase of the season.
Chiesa’s Situation Remains Complex
The situation surrounding Federico Chiesa presents a more complicated picture. The Italian international, who joined Liverpool for an initial £10 million from Juventus, has struggled to establish himself at Anfield, managing only 78 minutes of action across all competitions since his summer move.
Head coach Arne Slot recently addressed Chiesa’s situation, stating, “It is far from ideal for him and us. With Diogo Jota’s injury, we have four attackers available, so this could have been a great moment for him to get more playing time.”
Slot explained the delicate balance required in Chiesa’s recovery: “It is difficult for a player who missed out on pre-season and playing pre-season games and training sessions. You must give a player more time to get to the intensity levels.”
Training Ground Developments
Recent footage from the AXA Training Centre showed Chiesa in training wear, sharing a brief exchange with the head of rehab physiotherapy, Lee Nobes. However, unlike his teammates, Chiesa continued with individual sessions rather than joining the leading group training.
Other notable participants in the training session included:
- Mohamed Salah and Joe Gomez, who were not involved in international duty
- Jayden Danns, the 18-year-old striker returning from a back injury
- Several academy prospects working alongside the first team
Looking Ahead
With Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Southampton on Sunday, the coaching staff, led by assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff in the observed session, will need to make careful decisions about player availability. While Elliott appears to be pushing for inclusion in the squad, Chiesa’s involvement seems unlikely.
The return timeline for various players shapes up as follows:
- Alisson Becker: Showing positive signs in individual training
- Harvey Elliott: Back in full training, potentially available for Southampton
- Federico Chiesa: Continuing individual recovery program
- Diogo Jota: Expected to return after the upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City
Slot is scheduled to provide a comprehensive injury update during his press conference later this week, which should clarify the availability of these critical players for the upcoming fixtures.
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