Arne Slot held his pre-Sunderland press conference on Tuesday, sharing fitness updates on several Liverpool players.
The Reds beat West Ham United over the weekend, which was only their second league win in eight attempts.
Liverpool can still make the top four this season, but they must start putting together a consistent run of form to catch the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.
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Can you name the missing players from Liverpool’s last match against Sunderland in 2017?
Liverpool Sunderland missing players
Liverpool Sunderland missing players
That may be easier said than done, however, as several players who shone against the Hammers are unlikely to be fit enough to start in the Reds’ next two outings.
Arne Slot gives Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez updates
Owing to the jam-packed fixture schedule, Liverpool are playing three games in six days.
After West Ham, they take on Sunderland on December 3 before travelling to Leeds United on Saturday.
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With the games coming thick and fast, Slot was asked about Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez when speaking to the media on Tuesday.
All three have just returned from injury, and the Dutchman doesn’t believe they will be ready to start three matches on the spin.
He said: “I don’t think they can play three times 90 in a week.
“Now I have to wait to see if they can be involved from the start on Wednesday.
“All three can feature in all the three games.”
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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Hugo Ekitike is the obvious replacement for Isak when he is rested by Slot.
Right now, though, the absence of Gomez from the eleven is a big issue.
Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are injured and are not expected to return for a couple of weeks.
That means, unless Gomez somehow plays three games in a row, Slot will be without any sort of natural option on the right of his backline in the next week.
Dominik Szoboszlai could cover at right-back again, but given how effective the Hungarian is off the right or pressing in midfield, it will once again weaken Liverpool.
Curtis Jones is another potential option, but again, the Reds don’t look great when the central midfielder is thrust into an unnatural role.
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