Contracts latest, Diogo Jota injury, fitness fear – Liverpool issues to be confronted before key run

A look at the big topics for Arne Slot to deal with when he speaks to the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton

Arne Slot will face the media on Friday morning at the AXA Training Centre to preview Sunday’s visit to Southampton at 9:30am. The Reds boss will have plenty to chat about as his team head into the Premier League weekend five points clear of Manchester City, who host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

The fitness of his international contingent, who returned to the AXA base on Thursday, will be top of the agenda but, as ever, Slot will also have a lot more to contend with when he speaks to the assembled media on the day.

Here, the ECHO takes a look at what is likely to form part of the conversation when the press descend on the club’s £50m training facility on Friday morning.

Among a smattering of fitness updates will be Diogo Jota, who was not pictured in training when videos and images dropped online on Tuesday afternoon.

The Portugal international has been absent since Tosin Adaraiboyo landed awkwardly on him during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield back on October 20. An impact injury to his upper body has been Jota’s problem and Slot has always been optimistic that a return would come after this international break.

“We expect him back after the international break,” said Slot before the Aston Villa game. “Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go! He will be back one or two weeks after the international break.”