Liverpool player now facing 'race against time' to be fit to play against Southampton - journalist

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With the international break finally wrapped up, Liverpool are back in action on Sunday.

It has been a relaxing couple of weeks for Reds supporters, who have been able to enjoy seeing their team sitting clear at the top of the Premier League table.

However, with the real stuff set to commence once again, focus can shift back to the Liverpool fixture list.

The Reds are still firmly in a really tricky run of games, with Real Madrid and Man City the next two visitors to Anfield and trips to Everton and Newcastle the other side of those games.

Before that, Liverpool travel to Southampton for a top against bottom clash on the South Coast.

Just prior to the international break Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up an injury and was forced off against Aston Villa. Now, journalist James Pearce has provided an update on his availability to face Southampton.

Trent Alexander-Arnold facing ‘race against time’

Liverpool do still have a couple of injury problems to contend with as domestic football resumes.

Federico Chiesa has been spotted in training but it remains to be seen whether the Italian is ready for selection against Southampton.

Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk is being assessed following an early return from international duty with the Netherlands.

Elsewhere, Pearce has been speaking on the Walk On Podcast to provide a roundup of Liverpool’s other fitness issues, including Alexander-Arnold.

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“Alisson’s not far off,” begins the reporter. “Slot said he expected Jota back a week after this break.

“You’ve got Harvey Elliott stepping it up with the U21s last week with a view to joining the seniors later on this week.

“We know that Trent’s injury was only a minor one and obviously it’s a race against time for him for the weekend.”

Liverpool should rest Alexander-Arnold

Regardless of whether Alexander-Arnold wins his race to be fit for Sunday, we’d imagine that Arne Slot will be minded to rest him anyway.

The Liverpool right-back is such a key figure for the Reds and with four big clashes to follow the Saints game, he’ll be badly needed.

Conor Bradley is in good form having scored for Northern Ireland on Monday and the 21-year-old is an able deputy.

Bradley can be trusted to do the business at St Mary’s to allow Alexander-Arnold a little extra time before next Wednesday’s big date with Madrid.

If Van Dijk misses the game as well it could lead to a bit of a strange looking defence for Liverpool. But after Alisson returned to training that could yet be offset by an almighty boost, too.