Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have a limited squad to choose from when they face Tottenham on Saturday. Conor Bradley is set to return from suspension after missing the victory over Brighton, but Slot's options remain thin on the ground. Injuries sustained by Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai, coupled with Mohamed Salah's departure for Africa Cup of Nations duty, further deplete Liverpool's ranks.
While there's a chance Szoboszlai could recover in time for the North London trip, Liverpool could be down as many as seven senior players for the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, Liverpool aren't alone in their predicament, with Thomas Frank potentially missing eight players for the upcoming match. Let's take a look at the players who might miss out on this weekend's action....
LIVERPOOL
Giovanni Leoni - ACL
Leoni suffered an ACL injury during his debut against Southampton in September. After undergoing surgery, he's been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Jeremie Frimpong - Hamstring
Frimpong has been out of action since October due to a hamstring injury sustained during a match against Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the Dutch international is nearing a return, with manager Arne Slot recently confirming that he will rejoin the squad for the trip to Spurs.
Cody Gakpo - Muscle
Gakpo is also on the injury list, having suffered a muscle injury in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United. Slot confirmed that the forward would be out for several weeks.
Wataru Endo - Ankle
Endo is another casualty from the Leeds match, suffering an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
Joe Gomez - Hamstring
Gomez was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury during a game against Brighton. While reports suggest the injury isn't severe, Slot has confirmed that Gomez will miss the Tottenham match.
Given his history with injuries, Liverpool are unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with the defender.
Dominik Szoboszlai - Ankle
Szobodzlai is also nursing an ankle injury, which he picked up in Liverpool's victory over Brighton. Although the injury isn't considered serious, a decision on his involvement against Tottenham will be made closer to the time, with the player having returned to partial training.
Mohamed Salah - AFCON
Mohamed Salah is currently away on AFCON duty.
Salah has now left for Africa Cup of Nations duty, with Egypt's first match against Zimbabwe scheduled for Monday. This means he will certainly miss Liverpool's games against Spurs and Wolves, and potentially the New Year's Day match against Leeds at Anfield, even if Egypt are eliminated in the group stages.
If Egypt advance in the tournament, which concludes on 18 January, Salah could miss up to five more club matches. Liverpool have away games against Fulham and Arsenal, followed by home matches against Barnsley and Burnley, before their penultimate Champions League league phase fixture at Marseille on 21 January.
In addition to Salah, Slot is also without academy players Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns (both hamstring injuries) and Kaide Gordon (meniscus injury).
TOTTENHAM
Dejan Kulusevski - Knee
The Swedish player has been out since sustaining a knee injury towards the end of last season. While Spurs hope he could return during the festive period, Saturday's match against Liverpool will likely be too soon.
Radu Dragusin - ACL
The Romanian is nearing a return after injuring his ACL against Elfsborg in January. He recently played for Tottenham Under-21s in friendly matches against Leyton Orient and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Although he is in the final stages of his rehabilitation and has stepped up his return, he may need more game time before being considered for first team selection.
James Maddison - ACL
The England international suffered an ACL injury last summer and is anticipated to be sidelined for the season.
Kota Takai - Thigh
Takai, a summer signing, has yet to make his debut for Spurs due to plantar fasciitis in his foot and a thigh injury since his £5m transfer from J1 League team Kawasaki Frontale. However, he did participate in the Under-21s' friendly match against Dagenham and Redbridge as part of his recovery, although the upcoming clash with the Reds might be too soon for the 21-year-old.
Dominic Solanke - Ankle
Solanke, a former Liverpool striker, remains out of action after undergoing ankle surgery and has not yet returned to training.
Destiny Udogie - Hamstring
Udogie hasn't played for Spurs since their 2-2 draw at Newcastle United earlier this month due to a hamstring injury. Frank has confirmed that the Italian won't be back until January.
Pape Matar Sarr - AFCON
Sarr has left for the Africa Cup of Nations and will represent Senegal in this year's competition.
Yves Bissouma - AFCON
Bissouma, a Mali international, has also left for the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite this, he has not been selected by Frank this season and was recently suspended by Spurs for disciplinary reasons.