Mohamed Salah is making progress in his return from injury and could yet feature for Liverpool once again before his summer exit, though Manchester United on Sunday comes too soon.
Arne Slot hopes the Egyptian can feature before the end of the season, when he will walk away from a nine-year spell at Anfield.
Salah was forced off against Crystal Palace on Saturday, leading to speculation over whether the 33-year-old may have played his last game. The Reds later described the issue as a “minor muscle injury,” with the club “anticipating” a return during one of the final four games of the season.
“As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back,” Slot said. “He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season. Not for tomorrow.
“It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it’s great news.”
Liverpool’s final game of the season is at Anfield against Brentford on 24 May, with Salah hopeful of featuring by then at the latest, when a emotional farewell is likely to take place.
Until then, Slot is focused on securing a place in next season’s Champions League, with the Reds requiring just five more points from the last four Premier League games to clinch a top five finish.
Meanwhile, the Reds hope to welcome back Alisson Becker from injury soon, though Freddie Woodman will continue to deputise between the sticks against Manchester United, with Giorgi Mamardashvili also out.
“It’s a bonus when every player comes back, our injury list is longer and longer,” Slot added. “Alisson hasn’t trained with us yet, I will find out today if he can today or start of next week.
“Very close but we don’t take risks. We don’t want to do that with any player. There’s a difference between a keeper and a player, they need to run more.
“So if the issue with an outfield player is when they are out it is the fitness levels, so there is a different issue with goalkeepers.”
