Liverpool injury news and return dates for Southampton: Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Alisson latest

Aiming to pick up where they left off before the international break, Liverpool resume their Premier League title quest away to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Arne Slot's men opened up a five-point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the table in gameweek 11, where Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah produced the telling contributions in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

The reigning champions can cut the deficit down to two points by beating Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, but few will expect Liverpool to leave St Mary's with anything less than a victory to show for their efforts.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with the Saints, who sit rock bottom of the standings.

Virgil van Dijk

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Unspecified Possible return date: November 24 (vs. Southampton)

Virgil van Dijk missed the Netherlands' second UEFA Nations League match of November against Bosnia-Herzegovina on medical grounds, but he is not believed to be carrying a serious issue and should be OK to feature at St Mary's.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: November 27 (vs. Real Madrid)

In contrast, Trent Alexander-Arnold is out due to the hamstring issue he sustained in the win over Villa, although he avoided a serious problem and might be back for the showdown with Real Madrid.

Diogo Jota

Status: Out Type of injury: Abdominal Possible return date: December 7 (vs. Everton)

There was hope that Diogo Jota would return straight after the November hiatus, but Slot has now conceded that the Portugal international may not return from his abdominal concern until the early stages of December.

Alisson Becker

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: December 1 (vs. Manchester City)

Alisson Becker has been seen in full training with the Reds as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, but Slot is not expecting him to be fit for Southampton or the imminent battle with Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Federico Chiesa

Status: Out Type of injury: Fitness Possible return date: November 27 (vs. Real Madrid)

Similarly, Federico Chiesa has had a couple of uninterrupted weeks to get back to full speed, having struggled with several niggles since joining from Juventus, but the Italian winger will likely be gradually eased back into action.

Harvey Elliott

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Foot Possible return date: November 24 (vs. Southampton)

Over the international break, foot fracture victim Harvey Elliott was pictured in a full training session with the Reds' Under-21s, so the Englishman is also pushing to make his comeback in the contest with the Saints.