Liverpool boss Arne Slot gets triple boost ahead of daunting run of fixtures
Three players are set to return from international duty, coming as the perfect time ahead of some tough upcoming fixtures - starting with a huge home game against Chelsea next Sunday.
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorLiverpool boss Arne Slot has received a huge triple boost during the international break after Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones were all released from their national team squads.
The Dutchman suffered a blow in the last international break last month when Harvey Elliott picked up a foot injury that has ruled him out for an extended spell, while he was also handed a scare when Alexis Mac Allister picked up a knock for Argentina.
But Slot has better news on this occasion with three key players returning to Liverpool and avoiding the prospect of any further injuries after being released by their countries.
The news comes as the perfect time for Liverpool, with the Reds facing some tough fixtures to come in the hopes they can mount a title bid - starting with a huge home game against Chelsea next Sunday.
Salah was granted permission to leave the Egypt camp and return to Liverpool early after the country's coach Hossam Hassan declared he was concerned about the quality of the pitch they would be playing on in their next game against Mauritiania.
The Liverpool forward had already netted for the Pharaohs in their last game against the same opponents in a 2-0 win on Friday in Cairo, but Hassan admitted he had reservations about Salah playing on an artificial pitch with opponents who "play hard and with violent interventions".
"If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree," he said. "The Mauritanian team plays hard and with violent interventions, and their field is not the best. If Salah specifically asks me to do so, I will agree."
Jones, meanwhile, has left the England camp due to "personal reasons", it was announced on Saturday, having been an unused substitute for the 2-1 loss to Greece.
Lee Carsley's Three Lions side are now set to travel to Finland for an away game in the Nations League, but Jones will not be involved.
Van Dijk is also free to head back to Liverpool after being sent off for the Netherlands in their 1-1 draw away to Hungary on Friday night - meaning he is suspended for their next game against Germany.
All three players will now be ready and available as Liverpool prepare for their clash against the Blues, followed by a trip to Red Bull Leipzig in the Champions League. Liverpool then play Arsenal at the Emirates on October 27.
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