The Swedish national team striker is 99.9 percent certain not to be available for Saturday's home match against Aston Villa in Premier League football, Slot stated at a press conference.
The reigning champions are under pressure. Liverpool have lost four straight league games and are only seventh in the table with 15 points – seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.
“Missing nothing”
After the defeat to Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday – 0-3 at home – Arne Slot complained about the breadth of the squad. Barely two days later, he wants to clarify the whole thing.
"We lack nothing. I'm happy with the team and the quality we have. The problem is that not everyone has had a proper pre-season or has been injured during the season," says the Dutchman.
But I want to repeat: It is no excuse for our results, he continues.
Slot believes that Alexander Isak is a good example. He was completed for Liverpool in early September as the most expensive Premier League signing in history when he was bought from Newcastle for almost 1.7 billion kronor. Due to a conflict with Newcastle, the 26-year-old was allowed to train on his own during the summer.
"He had to do his pre-season during the season. Then people ask why I play him, but I have to play him. Otherwise I would have had to play with Hugo (Ekitiké) every single game," says Slot.
Played 429 minutes
The Swede has only played 429 minutes spread over eight matches for his new club, but played two full matches with Sweden in the World Cup qualifiers earlier in October.
Isak left after the first half against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last week with groin pain and has since missed two straight matches.
The schedule remains tough for Liverpool. On Tuesday, Real Madrid awaits at home in the Champions League and on Sunday, November 9, there is an away match against Manchester City.
After that, a national team break awaits where Sweden meets Switzerland (November 15) and Slovenia (November 18) when the World Cup qualifiers conclude.
