After a rare weekend off, Liverpool is back in Champions League action this week as it looks to defend its 100 per cent record under Arne Slot in Europe against Girona.
The Reds head to Spain for Tuesday's encounter knowing that another win should be enough to secure a top-eight finish and a place straight into the last-16. Slot's side is already guaranteed a spot in the extra play-off round at the very least, but avoiding that would benefit them massively especially with the Merseyside derby at Everton to fit into the schedule now.
Liverpool will be the big favorite against Girona, who is making its debut in Europe's premier club competition. The Spanish side has won just one of its five Champions League outings so far, and faces a huge task if it is to make it into the play-offs.
What's more, the Reds have been boosted by the return of three players for Tuesday's trip, with Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all nearly back from injury. Chiesa, however, has picked up an illness which will keep him out. Slot will offer the latest on where the other two are up to in his press conference which is slated for 6.30pm UK time (1.30pm ET).
Liverpool will be without five players for Tuesday's match, with Alexis Mac Allister serving a suspension after receiving his third yellow card of the competition against Real Madrid. In fact, the Argentine will also miss the Reds' next two games, as his Premier League suspension carries over to Fulham at the weekend following yesterday's postponement.
Arne Slot takes a training session at the AXA Training Centre in Liverpool on December 9, 2024, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Girona (Image: PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
In terms of injuries, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are still sidelined after sustaining injuries against Real. Konate was spotted arriving on crutches for last weekend's game against Manchester City, suggesting he won't be back in action anytime soon.
Kostas Tsimikas was also seen on crutches that night, but recent photos show the left-back back in his training gear at the training ground, hinting at a possible return slightly sooner. However, the upcoming Girona match might be too soon for the Greek international. Tyler Morton is a new absentee with the ECHO reporting that he has picked up a knock.
Liverpool.com says: It will be massively important to have Jota and Alisson back available again. Liverpool has not struggled without them but heading into a crucial and congested part of the season, having as many senior stars there to be picked as possible will be a major advantage. It would have been good to add Morton to the rotation mix so hopefully he isn't missing for too long.