Díaz a doubt for Chelsea clash: Liverpool feel the impact of international break

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has cast doubt over the fitness of star winger Luis Díaz ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea. The Colombian international has just returned from international duty and, along with several other key players, faces a race against time to be fully fit for the match.

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International Duty Takes Its Toll

Díaz, along with the likes of Darwin Núñez and Alexis Mac Allister, has been involved in intense international fixtures, leading to concerns over fatigue and potential injuries. The trio's late return from international duty means they will have limited time to recover and train with the squad before the demanding match at Stamford Bridge.

Slot admitted in a press conference, "We have quite a few problems with the players coming back from international duty, and we can only judge that today. It’s the first time they’ve all been training together. We’ll see after the session how everyone is."

Injury Concerns Add to Selection Headache

To compound the issue, Liverpool are already grappling with a number of injury concerns. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is sidelined, dealing a significant blow to the team's defensive solidity. Slot said, "It’s clear that Alisson won’t be with us in the coming weeks. That’s a blow for him and for us."

With a packed fixture list and the demands of Champions League football also looming, Slot faces a delicate balancing act. He must carefully assess the fitness of his players and make tough decisions regarding team selection.

"If you look at the table, it is (the most important game of the season so far). I think Manchester United are a very good team, a top club in England who have spent a lot of money, even to make the team better again. The same goes for Chelsea this season. Chelsea are doing very well," Slot stated.

The Liverpool manager emphasized the importance of defensive stability while also acknowledging the need to create attacking opportunities. "If you want to achieve something this season, you have to be very stable defensively. We’ve been that so far. Once again, we also have to consider the list of games. And now we are facing even better players because I agree with you that Chelsea, just like United, have so many, many great pieces that we have to try to manage, to control," he added.

As Liverpool prepare for a challenging period, the fitness of Díaz and other key players will be pivotal in determining their success in both domestic and European competitions.