Salah Is Back
The Reds Are Getting Their Stars Back — But Timing Is Everything
Good news is finally arriving at Anfield. After weeks of frustrating injury updates, Liverpool fans have genuine reasons to smile heading into Friday’s crucial Premier League clash at Aston Villa. Mohamed Salah is set to return to the squad, Ibrahima Konate has been confirmed fit, and both Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz are being assessed — with realistic hopes of featuring at Villa Park.
With so much riding on this match — a defeat could put Liverpool’s Champions League place in serious jeopardy — Arne Slot will be desperate to get his key players back on the pitch. Here is the complete, up-to-date breakdown of every player’s injury status and expected return date.
Mohamed Salah: The King Is Coming Back
Without question, this is the update Liverpool fans have been waiting for the most. Mohamed Salah — who is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season after nine extraordinary years — is on course to make a return against Aston Villa on Friday, May 15.
The Egyptian forward has missed Liverpool’s past two matches due to a muscle injury but will be back in the squad at Villa Park, though Arne Slot confirmed he will likely only be available for a limited number of minutes.
Salah had been forced off with a suspected hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on April 25, and initial reports had suggested his season — and potentially his entire Liverpool career — could have been ended prematurely. Thankfully, those fears did not materialise, and the club’s medical team has worked diligently to get him back in time for the final stretch.
Slot confirmed at his pre-match press conference: “Mo will be available tomorrow for only a few minutes, but hopefully can come in.”
It may not be a full 90 minutes just yet, but even a Salah cameo could change the course of a tight match. That is the kind of player he is.
Status: ✅ Expected to Return — Limited Minutes
Possible Return Date: May 15 vs. Aston Villa
Alisson Becker: Almost There, But Still a Doubt
Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper has been absent from the Reds over recent weeks. Alisson Becker has been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers around for several years. Still, he has been sidelined by an undisclosed muscular problem, sitting out for the past nine games in a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
The good news? He is very close to returning. Slot confirmed that Alisson has returned to training, adding: “Alisson trains with us again, let’s see where he is tomorrow, if he is ready already or has to wait one more week.”
The return of Giorgi Mamardashvili over the weekend at least means there is less of a rush to bring Alisson back into the fold — Liverpool have dependable cover, which takes some of the pressure off the situation. That said, having the Brazilian between the sticks would give the entire squad a significant confidence boost.
Status: 🟡 Being Assessed — Possible Return
Possible Return Date: May 15 vs. Aston Villa (or May 19)
Florian Wirtz: Fighting a Stomach Infection
The German international’s absence against Chelsea was not down to a physical injury — it was illness. Wirtz missed the game against Chelsea due to a stomach infection, and Slot confirmed he is on antibiotics, adding: “Let’s see if he’s ready to play tomorrow.”
It is hoped he will be well enough to play on Friday, but no guarantees have been issued, and his involvement will depend on how quickly he recovers from the infection over the coming 24 hours. Rushing a player back on antibiotics is rarely ideal, but Liverpool’s need is great given everything riding on the Villa match.
Wirtz has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season since his high-profile arrival, making his potential absence all the more frustrating for Slot and the Anfield faithful.
Status: 🟡 Being Assessed — Illness (Not Injury)
Possible Return Date: May 15 vs. Aston Villa
Ibrahima Konate: Cramp Scare, But He’s OK
There was a nervous moment during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea when Konate limped off in the second half and was replaced by Joe Gomez. Thankfully, it appears to have been nothing more serious than cramp.
Slot confirmed at his pre-match press conference: “Ibou is OK, trained with us.” That is as positive a confirmation as Liverpool fans could have hoped for after the scare at Anfield.
Speaking after the Chelsea draw, Slot had said: “The way he limped off, he told me it was cramp. Let’s hope he is right in his assessment.” Given that Konate has now returned to training without any issues, it appears the Frenchman’s self-diagnosis was spot on.
With Liverpool’s defensive depth already stretched — both Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees — Konate’s fitness is absolutely critical to the team’s chances of getting a result at Villa Park.
Status: ✅ Confirmed Fit — Available to Play
Return Date: Available Now
The Long-Term Injury List: Players Who Won’t Be Back This Season
Beyond the four headline names above, Liverpool is managing a longer injury list. Here is a quick summary of players unavailable for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign:
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Conor Bradley | Serious injury (ACL area) — suffered at Arsenal in January | Pre-season, August 2026 |
| Giovanni Leoni | Anterior cruciate ligament (debut injury, September 2025) | Pre-season, 2026-27 |
| Hugo Ekitike | Ruptured Achilles (vs PSG) | ~9 months — early 2027 |
| Jayden Danns | Sidelined for an extended period | TBC |
| Stefan Bajcetic | Long-term absence | TBC |
Hugo Ekitike had been Liverpool’s main attacking option for much of the season, but the France forward will miss the rest of 2025-26 — as well as the World Cup — after rupturing his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain last month. It is a devastating blow both for the club and for the player personally.
Why This Match Matters So Much
Liverpool’s visit to Aston Villa on Friday, May 15, is far more than a routine end-of-season fixture. A defeat to Aston Villa could put the Reds at risk of missing out on a place in the Champions League next season, depending on Bournemouth and Brighton’s results.
For a club of Liverpool’s stature, missing out on Europe’s elite competition would be a significant setback — both financially and in terms of the club’s ability to attract and retain top talent. With Salah’s departure already confirmed at the end of the season, the last thing Arne Slot needs is a Champions League-less summer to rebuild around.
Getting Salah, Konate, and ideally Alisson and Wirtz back for this fixture could make all the difference between a top-four finish and a Europa League campaign next season.
Arne Slot’s Balancing Act
Throughout this injury crisis, Arne Slot has handled the situation with measured calm and transparency. His regular injury briefings have been notably honest — not overselling recoveries and not writing players off prematurely. That level of communication between the coaching staff and the fanbase has been refreshing, even during difficult weeks.
On Conor Bradley’s rehabilitation, Slot acknowledged: “In the rehab, it’s always really important in certain steps if they go well or don’t go well.” That careful, patient approach has defined how he has managed the entire injury situation — trusting the medical team and not forcing returns before players are genuinely ready.
Quick Summary: Liverpool’s Injury Update at a Glance
- Mohamed Salah — Returning vs. Aston Villa; limited minutes expected ✅
- Ibrahima Konate — Confirmed fit; back in training after cramp scare ✅
- Alisson Becker — Back in training; being assessed for Friday 🟡
- Florian Wirtz — Recovering from stomach infection; on antibiotics 🟡
- Conor Bradley — Out for the season; returns pre-season 2026 ❌
- Hugo Ekitike — Ruptured Achilles; out for approximately 9 months ❌
- Giovanni Leoni — ACL injury; targeting 2026-27 pre-season ❌
Final Thoughts: Reasons for Optimism
After a difficult few weeks managing one of the most congested injury lists in the Premier League, Liverpool is finally getting players back at the right time. The return of Salah — even in a limited capacity — changes Liverpool’s attacking threat completely. Konate’s confirmation as fit shores up a defence that has looked vulnerable without him, and if Alisson and Wirtz can also play some part on Friday, Slot will have a squad capable of getting a crucial result at Villa Park.
The injury clouds are clearing just as Liverpool need it most. For a team fighting on multiple fronts — and bidding farewell to one of the greatest players ever to wear the red shirt — Friday cannot come soon enough.
Stay tuned to our blog for the latest Liverpool match previews, injury updates, and Premier League coverage throughout the 2025-26 season.
