Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is optimistic that both Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa will be available for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City.

Salah sat out Liverpool’s defeat to Brighton before the international break due to a muscle issue and did not join up with Egypt, but Slot suggested the forward is close to returning.

“Close, very close,” Slot said.

“Another example of what makes him special because the moment he got injured there was a bit of a situation where they thought, ‘I don’t think he’s available for City.’ But Mo looked at me and said, ‘I think I will be available for City.’

“He just does so much for his body for such a long time that he recovers so fast. So, he will train with the team again tomorrow and if everything works well then he’s available to be with us at City.”

Chiesa is also expected to be in contention after returning early from international duty with Italy, having resumed training with the squad.

Slot added: “Jeremie, the national team doctor of the Netherlands tells us that it was precautionary that they took him out. But he will have a scan later today to see.

“Alisson will be out for a bit longer. And Federico indeed came back from the national team, where he wasn’t able to play. But he trained with us today, so he will train with us tomorrow again and will be available for the game on the weekend.”