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Liverpool injury news on Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak after the 0-0 draw against Arsenal.
It is a growing absentee list that will concern Arne Slot.
The number of Liverpool players unavailable already left them threadbare ahead of the trip to Arsenal. Comparisons were made between the two teams’ substitute benches, with the Gunners having options aplenty while the Reds had to name two goalkeepers and three inexperienced players among their options in reserve.
Certainly, Slot is set to have a depleted squad for Monday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley before Burnley visit Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday 17 January. Ahead of those games, here’s a look at Liverpool’s current players unavailable and when they might be able to return to action.
Hugo Ekitike - hamstring
The striker has missed the past two matches because of a hamstring injury. Ekitike's injury was picked up due to the number of minutes he has been playing in Alexander Isak's absence. Ekitike's problem is not serious but Liverpool will likely be cautious.
Potential return game: Barnsley (H), Monday 12 January or Burnley (H), Saturday 17 January
Alexander Isak - broken leg
The £125 million British record signing suffered his problem when taking a shot and scoring in a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month. There is no exact timeframe on Isak's recovery, although Slot suggested after the 2-2 draw at Fulham last week that the Sweden international could spend three months on the treatment table.
Potential return: March
Conor Bradley - knee
It was a sorry sight to see the right-back stretchered off at Arsenal. It was an innocuous injury and Slot admitted that Liverpool are fearing the worst. That suggests that Bradley might have ruptured his ACL, which will mean he won't play again. It typically takes 9-12 months to make a full recovery from that sort of issue.
Potential return: N/A
Wataru Endo - ankle
The midfielder has been unavailable for Liverpool’s past six matches because of an ankle injury. Ahead of the Fulham game, Slot admitted that no other player was close to making a return to fitness, which suggests that Endo might still be recovering from his setback.
Giovanni Leoni - ACL
The summer signing from Parma is on the comeback trail after suffering his cruel blow on his debut in a Carabao Cup win over Southampton. Leoni may soon have a partner in rehab.
Potential return: 2026-27 pre-season
Stefan Bajcetic - hamstring
The midfielder has not made a single appearance at any level since May when he was on loan at Spanish side Las Palmas. Bajcetic had surgery during the summer but recently suffered a new hamstring blow and he’s not expected to return to fitness until January but will need minutes for the under-21s before he will be considered for first-team duty.
Potential return: N/A
Jayden Danns - hamstring
The well-regarded striker has had injury problems over the past 18 months. There have been suggestions that Danns’ training return has been earmarked for this month but he might need some weeks to get up to speed.
Potential return: Late January/ February
Mo Salah - African Cup of Nations
The winger has been unavailable for the past five games as he represents Egypt. The Pharaohs face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals on Saturday and if they get through, Salah will be at the tournament until the death. That is because Egypt will be in a third-placed play-off, at a minimum. If Egypt lose to Ivory Coast then Salah might be back a little earlier.
Potential return game: Burnley (H), Saturday 17 January.
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