Mohamed Salah availability for Manchester United and World Cup confirmed as Alisson nears return - Premier League team news

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Mohamed Salah will not be involved in Liverpool's Premier League showdown against Manchester United on Sunday but Arne Slot offered a hopeful update on the Egypt star's "minor" injury.

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Salah was replaced on the hour mark in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, sparking fears that he could experience his Anfield send-off from the sidelines.

The 33-year-old will miss a final appearance against his favourite opponents, having scored 16 goals and provided six assists in 18 matches against The Red Devils.

His absence also means this will be the first season since 2018/19 in which he has failed to net against United, though Liverpool head coach Slot believes his thigh issue should be resolved before the end of the season.

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"He is always working incredibly hard during the season when he is fit and when he is injured to get back as soon as possible," Slot said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"Usually he is back fit earlier than other players. He has a minor injury and we expect and need him back for the final part of the season, but not for Sunday.

"It is a big relief that his injury is minor and he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If a player deserves a big send-off, then it is Mo."

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With Salah's participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup seemingly still on track, Slot also offered an injury update on Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, who has missed the past seven matches with a hamstring complaint.

It is the second such injury the 33-year-old has endured this campaign, but he is expected to return to team training imminently.

"He hasn't trained with us yet but is very close to. We will hear today from the medical staff if he can train today or either tomorrow or otherwise the start of next week.," Slot said.

”He is very close, but of course, also we don't want to take any risks. There is a difference between a player and goalkeeper in terms of coming back. If a player hasn’t trained for a few weeks, players need to run much more than goalkeepers do."

Slot has a fresh injury concern to contend with before his side's trip to Old Trafford, with left-back Milos Kerkez leaving team training on Wednesday.

”Milos has had some niggles. He left the training pitch not yesterday but the day before,” Slot added. ”But I expect him to either train today or tomorrow.”

Udogie available, Solanke a doubt

Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains unavailable for Tottenham Hotspur's crucial clash against Aston Villa on Sunday evening, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

The goalkeeper has been out since the end of March, though it is expected the Italian could be back to contribute to Spurs' push for survival as the season draws to a close.

There was some good news for De Zerbi and Tottenham Hotspur fans, however, with Destiny Udogie pronounced fit for their trip to Villa Park, having experienced a campaign plagued with injuries thus far.

Dominic Solanke is still a doubt as the England striker battles a hamstring issue, while James Maddison may be set for another bench role as his fitness continues to be assessed.

Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons remain long-term absentees.

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Rodri and Dias 'getting better'

Manchester City face a tough trip on Monday with the Premier League title race seemingly going down to the wire.

Their first-ever trip to Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium could see the return of Rodri to the bench, though head coach Pep Guardiola said it was too early to confirm his participation.

”He is getting better. Still he hasn’t trained so we will see in the next few days. Always I am confident,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner picked up a groin injury in City's win against Arsenal last month, while defender Ruben Dias has been missing since March with a thigh problem.

”Ruben is not yet with the team. Him, Josko [Gvardiol] and Rodri are getting better,” said Guardiola.

Gvardiol is out with a broken tibia, having not featured since City's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in early January.

Havertz out, Odegaard doubt

Arsenal have the chance to go six points clear of City at the top of the table when they welcome Fulham to the Emirates on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta saw his side draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber both left out of the Spaniard's squad owing to injury.

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Arteta confirmed that the pair would be unavailable for the London derby at the weekend, but noted that the German forward could play a part in The Gunners' second leg against Atletico on Tuesday.

"The focus right now has to be on availability and performance and Kai is desperate to be on the pitch as quickly as possible. Hopefully for Atletico, he will be available, and he’s pushing every boundary to achieve that," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.

On the fitness of Martin Odegaard, who was replaced by Eberechi Eze after 58 minutes in Madrid, Arteta said: "Let's see."

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