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Liverpool are continuing to navigate a challenging period on the fitness front, with several key players sidelined through injury, others unavailable due to international duty, and suspension concerns mounting as the fixture list intensifies.
Midfielder Wataru Endo has been absent since early December after suffering an ankle injury in the dramatic 3-3 draw away to Leeds United on December 6. Defender Joe Gomez is also yet to return after sustaining a muscle injury in the first half of Liverpool’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13.
The most significant blow has come in attack, with Alexander Isak facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following ankle surgery. The forward fractured his fibula while scoring in the win over Tottenham Hotspur on December 20 and underwent an operation two days later. Head coach Arne Slot confirmed the seriousness of the injury on December 23, describing it as a “big, big, big disappointment” for both player and club. While Isak is expected to be out for a couple of months, Slot remains confident the striker will return to action during the 2025–26 season.
Defensive depth has also been affected by Giovanni Leoni’s long-term absence. The young centre-back tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of his debut appearance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and is expected to miss up to a year. Slot admitted the setback was particularly tough given Leoni’s age and the positive impression he made in his first outing for the club.
Liverpool are also without Mohamed Salah for the time being, with the forward representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah came off the bench against Brighton before linking up with his national side and has already made an impact, scoring in group-stage wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa to help Egypt reach the last 16. Egypt’s next match is scheduled for January 5.
On the disciplinary front, Dominik Szoboszlai recently served a one-match Premier League suspension against Wolverhampton Wanderers after picking up his fifth league booking of the season in the win over Tottenham. Ibrahima Konate is walking a fine line domestically and will be suspended for one Premier League match if he receives a yellow card against Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, Conor Bradley is one caution away from triggering a one-match suspension in the Champions League.
With injuries, international commitments and disciplinary risks all in play, Slot will be carefully managing his squad as Liverpool look to maintain momentum across multiple competitions.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Tembela Bohle, Unsplash / James Kirkup
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