Liverpool is hoping to see the return of several key players from injury as its prepares to take on West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend.
The Reds will be making their way to the London Stadium on Sunday, aiming to put an end to a disappointing run of form. It's been a bleak season for Arne Slot, with Liverpool currently enduring its worst spell in over 70 years, having suffered defeat in nine of its last 12 matches across all competitions.
Consequently, the club finds itself languishing in 13th place in the Premier League standings, with its chances of defending the title it secured in May long having dwindled.
To add insult to injury, Liverpool has had to contend with injuries to several key players for much of the season, and it appears this trend will continue into Sunday. As many as 10 players across both sides could be absent.
Several players are uncertain for this weekend's match. Hugo Ekitike managed 61 minutes against PSV Eindhoven in Liverpool's midweek Champions League encounter, before being substituted due to a back injury.
The Frenchman has outshone marquee signing Alexander Isak this season, and his absence could be keenly felt if he is unavailable for the West Ham game. However, if Slot's remarks following the PSV match are anything to go by, then he may well be fit to participate.
Speaking on Thursday, the head coach said: "They don't expect that it has to be a big issue, but the games come fast, so let's see for the weekend. But it shouldn't have to be a big issue."
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Alisson Becker made his return from a hamstring problem last weekend and then missed the PSV match through illness. He, however, is expected to be fine here.
Florian Wirtz sustained an injury while representing Germany on international duty earlier this month, though his recovery is thought to be close to completion, and the attacking midfielder could feature.
Nevertheless, several other members of Slot's squad have been completely ruled out. Jeremie Frimpong suffered a thigh injury in October during Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt, and isn't anticipated to return until mid-December. Conor Bradley hasn't appeared for his club since picking up a problem during the November international break with Northern Ireland.
He is also expected to remain unavailable until next month. Giovanni Leoni will miss the entire campaign following an ACL injury sustained against Southampton in September.
Discussing the center-back in September, Slot said: "He is not in a good place because he tore his ACL, which means he will be out around a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game, it's very hard to take the positives.
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"But you try to look at that, and that is that he is still so young, and he has so many years still to go after he recovers."
Liverpool isn't the only club dealing with absences this weekend, as Nuno EspĂrito Santo is also without several players from his West Ham squad. Oliver Scarles had surgery on a shoulder problem that will sideline him until late December, while Lukasz Fabianski's return remains uncertain following a reported back complaint.
Crysencio Summerville and Konstantinos Mavropanos are doubtful for the fixture, with Nuno confirming during Friday's pre-match press conference that both would undergo late fitness assessments before the game.
Liverpool.com says: This is a huge game for Slot's side. They don't just need to get a result, but they need to play well— something they haven't done consistently for a long time now. It's a crucial period of the season.