Arne Slot has explained Alexander Isak’s absence for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United.
The Sweden international was a notable omission when the Premier League champions’ match day squad was confirmed for Sunday’s encounter at Old Trafford.
Isak had started his third consecutive game since returning from a lengthy injury in the Reds’ win over Crystal Palace last weekend but misses out with a groin issue.
Slot confirmed to Sky Sports ahead of his side’s latest clash that the record signing picked up a minor issue while Alisson is yet to be cleared for a return to action.
He said: “I don’t think in general it’s a surprise that after we pick up injuries, that has happened so many times this season, no one can be surprised that it happened now again.
“With Alex, it wasn’t much but unfortunately, it was too much for him to be able to play – and Alisson hasn’t trained with us yet, so that, that makes it quite simple.
“We are hoping for him to be ready next week [against Chelsea]. But we have to wait and see how the week will go, and the same can be said about Alex.
“We’re hoping to have him back next week but that’s small margins, as it always is in football.”