Liverpool injuries: Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and latest team news ahead of Southampton trip | OneFootball

In the Netherlands, there is an expression which goes: "First do what you need to do, second do what's useful and then do what's pleasant."

Liverpool's new Dutch coach Arne Slot has rattled through that list of objectives and is pleasantly sat at the Premier League's summit. The Reds stroll into this weekend's fixtures with a five-point lead above Manchester City and are already nine points ahead of everyone else in the division.

However, a daunting slate of matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City over the next week - which Slot has optimistically framed as "an incredible fixture list" - could make matters a little less pleasant.

A glut of injuries to a gaggle of first-team stars threatens to complicate the situation even further. Ahead of Liverpool's trip to Southampton on Sunday, Slot provided the latest updates on his various fitness doubts.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Arne Slot had to take Trent Alexander-Arnold off against Aston Villa / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages

Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of nine players to withdraw from Lee Carsley's England squad this month. Liverpool's full-back pulled up in the first half of his side's victory over Aston Villa on the eve of the international break with a hamstring problem.

Despite two weeks of rest and recuperation, Slot revealed: "Trent isn't training with us, but he's getting there to be back with us soon."

The Dutch coach ruled out Alexander-Arnold's involvement against Southampton on Sunday and admitted that he was "in between" for the upcoming Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday or next weekend's clash with Manchester City.

"We have to wait and see," Slot shrugged.

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk left the Netherlands camp early this month / Carl Recine/GettyImages

A wave of nervous energy rippled throughout the Liverpool fanbase when it emerged that Virgil van Dijk had returned home early from international duty with the Netherlands this month "on medical grounds".

However, there appears to have been no lasting damage for Liverpool's talismanic skipper. "Virgil is all good," Slot chirped on Friday, "he is training with us today."

Alisson

Alisson was forced off against Crystal Palace in October / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Liverpool have been without their first-choice goalkeeper since the start of October. Alisson was always expected to miss the subsequent seven matches, but there had been hope of his return following the November international break. Slot quashed that timeline.

"We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries," the record-breaking manager explained. "Alisson is training with the goalkeepers but not with the team. He is getting better but is not ready for Sunday."

Slot also revealed that Alisson is expected to miss next week's matchups against Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Diogo Jota got injured against Chelsea / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Injuries have followed Diogo Jota around like a bad smell throughout his Liverpool career. The luckless Portuguese forward sustained a severe blow to his ribs during a collision with Chelsea's Tosin Adarabioyo earlier this month.

"Jota is still apart from the group," Slot revealed, offering only that the forward is "expected [to be] with us in the next few weeks".

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott has been restricted to one appearance all season / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Harvey Elliott has been afforded just seven minutes all season thus far. After starting the campaign on Liverpool's bench, the 21-year-old broke his foot in September. But in an encouraging update from Slot, Elliott is nearing a return.

"He's training with us again," the coach cautiously revealed, "but that's different to being to the top of your game again. I'm grateful he's back, especially with the games that are coming in the next two or three months."