Liverpool will have to rejig their starting line-up because of two new injuries when Nottingham Forest visit Anfield today. The Reds need to win to build some confidence and momentum after the defeat to Manchester City before the international break. But Arne Slot will be without Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz against Forest due to two new injuries.
Alisson Becker is poised to return in goal but Bradley's lay-off leaves Liverpool without a senior recognised right-back. Their Dutch manager has already confirmed that may mean players are forced into uncomfortable positions. Express Sport looks at the line-up Slot could name...
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Having not played since September 30, Alisson will return in goal here. Liverpool lost four of the five Premier League matches that he missed. While that was not all down to the Brazilian's absence, having him back is a big help to an out-of-form team.
Alisson will be hoping to continue his perfect Anfield record this season having been between the sticks for wins over Bournemouth, Arsenal and Everton as well as the victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Defenders: Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Bradley's absence is a big problem given Jeremie Frimpong remains unavailable and Joe Gomez cannot play seven games in 22 days, as Slot has warned. As a result, with Liverpool at Anfield, Slot might feel emboldened to play Szoboszlai at right-back.
He did so against Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli in August and Szoboszlai was the standout player in that game. The Hungarian, Liverpool's player of the season so far, will be asked to keep the returning Callum Hudson-Odoi quiet while offering a crossing threat.
Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk will partner Ibrahima Konate at centre-back and Andy Robertson should start at left-back in favour of Milos Kerkez starting against PSV in midweek.
Midfield: Gravenberch, Jones
With Szoboszlai in defence, he will need to be replaced in midfield. Given Wirtz is unavailable, that leaves Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni as the four options to fill two spots alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
Jones has developed into a tempo-setting midfielder so is likely to be deployed deeper next to Gravenberch. Mac Allister could then slot into the No.10 role having operated there at Brighton to great effect.
Attack: Gakpo, Mac Allister, Salah; Isak
With Wirtz injured, Slot must decide between Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike to start on the left wing. Gakpo has a strong record at Anfield and has five goal contributions in 11 Premier League games. Liverpool need him to have a good game here.
With Mac Allister in the creative role, Mohamed Salah will start on the right wing. That then leaves Slot picking between £125million summer signing Alexander Isak and Ekitike through the middle. Ekitike's performance levels notably dipped before the break so Slot will hope Isak can prove why so much money was spent on him.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Forest in full: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Salah; Isak