Arne Slot must find solutions to two problems, with injuries to Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley interrupting Liverpool’s build-up to play Nottingham Forest.
Just as one man comes back, Alisson, two more are dealt blows; Wirtz and Bradley both returning from international duty with problems.
While the German shouldn’t miss more than a couple of matches, Bradley’s longer-term absence means Liverpool are without a senior right-back.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up against Nottingham Forest.
Team news
Here’s what Slot revealed in his press conference:
Bradley is not expected to be available in the next 22 days “unless a miracle happens”
Wirtz will miss the Forest match but “shouldn’t be that long”
Jeremie Frimpong will still be absent for a few weeks yet with a hamstring injury
“Alisson trained last week and this week, so he will be able to play tomorrow if things work out well again today (Friday)”
Liverpool’s XI vs. Nott’m Forest
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones celebrates with goalscorer Dominik Szoboszlai during the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Waldstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Without Bradley and Frimpong, Slot has four possible options at right-back: Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez or outside shout Calvin Ramsay.
Only the latter is a right-back by trade, but Slot is expected to go with a member of the senior squad.
Szoboszlai has played well at full-back when called upon this season, but his vacancy in the midfield has been painfully evident on those occasions.
Gomez has ample experience playing the position, but he “missed out on a training session” on Thursday and his lack of match sharpness means “it’s maybe a bit of a risk to play him” in each of Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures, said Slot.
Here are Slot’s likely selection options:
Probably the most likely case, Szoboszlai starts at right-back with Jones in midfield
Hugo Ekitike retains his place up front after scoring his first goal for France
Alisson returns in goal following eight matches out injured
This is how Liverpool would line up:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
In an alternate scenario, Slot could opt for Gomez at right-back in order to retain Szoboszlai’s impact as the Reds’ best presser in midfield.
There is also a chance that Milos Kerkez starts after Andy Robertson played twice for Scotland, though this is arguably more unlikely than the vice-captain keeping his place.
Alexander Isak is also in contention to start, having come back from injury but only played 28 minutes for Sweden during the international break.
Isak could start just his fourth Premier League match of the season, but it would mean leaving out Ekitike
Gomez starts his first league match since December 2024
Mo Salah retains his place in the team after being rested for Egypt’s latest match
Here’s how this alternate team would look:
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szobozzlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Isak
Having to find a solution at right-back is not a new issue for Slot; it has been a recurring conundrum this season.
At times in the campaign so far, the manager has perhaps been guilty of tinkering with the team too much. Now, he may have no choice.