Arne Slot expects Ibrahima Konate return for Liverpool clash with Newcastle

Speaking on Friday, Slot said of Konate: "Ibou trained with us yesterday. He will train with us today and will be in the squad tomorrow." The centre-back had missed the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag due to compassionate leave in France following his father's death.

Jones, who was sidelined by illness, is also back in contention. Slot said: "Curtis is available again after he was sick."

There was less encouraging news regarding Joe Gomez, who suffered a hip injury in last week's defeat at Bournemouth. Slot stated: "Joe will not be available, but that does not have to take much longer."

Liverpool's injury woes extend to Jeremie Frimpong, who was replaced just three minutes into the Qarabag match. Slot said: "He will not be in the squad tomorrow. He is out for a few weeks, but it's not as bad as we thought. So something positive from something not so positive."

Long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Alexander Isak remain sidelined. On Isak, Slot remarked: "He is not even on the pitch. He is just out of his walker. That tells you he is not expected on the pitch today or tomorrow. In terms of his recovery work, it's going to take a while until he is back."

Liverpool head into the game three points clear of Newcastle but without a Premier League win at Anfield in five matches. Slot stressed the importance of the fixture: "Every game is crucial but the way we have positioned ourselves now makes every game even more crucial because top four is what we want to achieve. It is a crucial game, as is the next one and the one after.

"We have experienced how tough it is to play against Newcastle. In the one and a half years I have been here it is always a very tough game for us, but for them as well. It's a great game to look forward to because we both had a good result in the week, and a home game at Anfield is always something to look forward to."

Liverpool also go into the Newcastle clash having secured qualification for the Champions League knockout stages. 

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