Nottingham Forest is likely to be without seven players for the trip to Anfield, although Sean Dyche has been boosted by some positive news.
Forest has had several players sidelined recently, though many are making steady progress in their recoveries. As things stand, Callum Hudson-Odoi is the only one expected to feature in Saturday’s 3pm Premier League trip to Anfield after shaking off a knock. Liverpool, too, is missing a number of players through injury - though Alisson Becker is expected to start.
Chris Wood may also be available, but he will undergo another scan on his knee before a decision is made. Douglas Luiz (hamstring), Oleksandr Zinchenko (groin), Dilane Bakwa (unspecified), Angus Gunn (knee), and long-term absentees Ola Aina (hamstring) and Aaron Bott (unknown) are all improving but will remain unavailable to face Arne Slot's side.
“Callum Hudson-Odoi has made good progress. He’s been on the grass with us this week, so he is certainly in consideration to be in the squad which is better news,” Dyche said in his pre-match press conference.
“Chris Wood is getting re-scanned, so we are checking up on that. But it is good news so far. Being re-scanned is just part of the process, there is nothing untoward about it - it is just a check-up.
“Douglas Luiz is making progress but he is going to be a matter of time; it is not going to be instant. Angus Gunn is still recovering from a knee injury - it is sort of straightforward but is going to take a bit of time.
“Dilane Bakwa is making good progress. He is on the grass but not with us, he is with the medical staff and sport science staff. Ola Aina is very similar.
“Oleksandr Zinchenko is making progress with the sport science team and the physios, not with us. And young keeper Aaron Bott is making progress but is longer term. We have still got a bit of a list."
Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC
Callum Hudson-Odoi is in line to return from injury to face Liverpool
Dyche added: "Callum is (the only one with a chance of playing on Saturday) at the moment. He is around it. If today and tomorrow go well and he feels OK, at least we can think about him being back in the fold. That will be a positive.”
Alisson is set to return in goal for Liverpool this weekend, marking his first appearance in nearly two months. The Brazilian has been out since September 30 after limping off against Galatasaray, with summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili filling in during his absence.
Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley will both miss out after picking up muscle injuries on international duty; Bradley may be sidelined for around three weeks, while Wirtz is expected back sooner.
Jeremie Frimpong also remains out with a muscle issue, and 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni continues his long-term recovery from an ACL injury.
Alexander Isak is still regaining full fitness after a setback. Liverpool has yet to see the best of the deadline-day arrival, but he is expected to be available from the bench against Forest.