Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will be left without a number of players when they lock horns in the Premier League on Saturday
Arne Slot will find his options somewhat depleted when Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The Reds are set to welcome back Conor Bradley from suspension, after he served a one-match ban against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
But having bemoaned having only 13 available senior outfield players for the clash with the Seagulls, Slot’s hand will be forced even more against Spurs despite Bradley’s return.
Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai both limped off against Brighton with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, while the Reds will also be without Mohamed Salah after he departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty.
While Szoboszlai faces an outside chance of being fit for the trip to North London, Liverpool could find themselves without as many as seven senior players for Saturday’s game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
They are not the only side affected by enforced absences though, with Thomas Frank also facing up to the prospect of being without eight of his players for the game.
With Slot set to offer an injury update at his pre-match press conference at 9.45am on Friday morning, the ECHO takes a look at which players are currently at risk of missing the weekend’s match…
LIVERPOOL
Giovanni Leoni - ACL
The Italian suffered an ACL injury on his debut against Southampton back in September. Undergoing surgery, he has been ruled out for the season.
Jeremie Frimpong - Hamstring
Frimpong has been sidelined since the end of October after suffering his second hamstring injury of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Netherlands international is closing in on a return though, with Slot recently confirming he is expected to soon return to team training.
As a result, if passed fit, he could return to the matchday squad against Tottenham. But for now, his possible involvement remains uncertain.
Cody Gakpo - Muscle
The forward suffered an unspecified muscular injury in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, with Slot confirming he was set to be missing for a number of weeks as a result.
Wataru Endo - Ankle
Like Gakpo, Endo has been missing since the Reds’ draw at Elland Road. Slot confirmed last week that the Japanese had suffered an ankle injury and would be sidelined for a number of weeks.
Joe Gomez - Hamstring
Forced off with a hamstring injury against Brighton, Slot has already confirmed that he expects Gomez to miss the trip to Tottenham. Reports suggest the injury is not too serious, but Liverpool will not wish to take any unnecessary risks with the defender, given his injury past.
Dominik Szoboszlai - Ankle
The Hungarian limped off with an ankle injury late on in Liverpool’s win over Brighton despite initially trying to play on. While the issue is not thought to be serious, a late decision will be made on whether or not he is passed fit to be involved against Tottenham.
Mohamed Salah - AFCON
Salah has now departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty ahead of Egypt’s opening game against Zimbabwe on Monday. He will definitely miss at least the Reds’ clashes with Spurs and Wolves, as well as possibly the visit of Leeds to Anfield on New Year’s Day even if the Pharaohs suffer a group-stage exit.
Should Egypt progress in the tournament, with the final taking place on January 18, Salah could miss up to a further five club matches with Liverpool travelling to Fulham and Arsenal before hosting Barnsley and Burnley, ahead of their penultimate Champions League league phase fixture away at Marseille on January 21.
Other
Slot also remains without the services of academy trio Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns (both hamstring) and Kaide Gordon (meniscus) because of injury.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Dejan Kulusevski - Knee
The Swede has been absent since suffering a knee injury towards the end of last season. While Spurs hope he could return to action over the festive period, Saturday’s clash with Liverpool will likely come too soon.
Radu Dragusin - ACL
The Romanian is closing in on a return after injuring his ACL against Elfsborg back in January. He recently featured for Tottenham Under-21s in friendly clashes with Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge.
In the final stages of his rehab after stepping up his return, he is closing in on a comeback but may need more game-time before being considered for first team selection.
James Maddison - ACL
The England international injured his ACL last summer and is expected to be out for the season.
Kota Takai - Thigh
The summer signing is yet to play for Spurs having dealt with plantar fasciitis in his foot and a thigh injury since his £5m move from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale.
However, he too featured in the Under-21s’ friendly clash with Dagenham & Redbridge as he steps up his return, though the clash with the Reds might come too soon for the 21-year-old.
Dominic Solanke - Ankle
The former Liverpool striker remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury and is yet to return to training.
Destiny Udogie - Hamstring
Udogie hasn’t featured for Spurs since their 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United at the start of the month after suffering a hamstring injury. Frank has confirmed the Italian won’t return until January.
Pape Matar Sarr - AFCON
Sarr has departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty and will represent Senegal in this year’s tournament.
Yves Bissouma - AFCON
The Mali international has also departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty, though he has not been selected by Frank this season regardless, and was recently suspended by Spurs for disciplinary reasons.