Hugo Ekitike returned for Liverpool after missing their previous two outings. (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool advanced to the next stage of the FA Cup after a 4-1 victory over Barnsley in the third round.
Arne Slot opted not to field a weakened team, with Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo all in the starting line-up.
The Dutch manager also brought on stars Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in the second half, helping Liverpool pull away from their League One rivals with two goals in the last 10 minutes.
Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Wirtz and Ekitike all found the back of the net for the Reds, securing their spot in the fourth round where they'll face Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, there were new injury concerns as Rio Ngumoha had to be substituted in the second half after pulling up during an attack.
Liverpool have had a challenging Premier League season, with an early-season slump derailing their title ambitions and leaving them fighting for Champions League qualification.
The Reds are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions and will return to domestic action when they host Burnley on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
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Mohamed Salah is not injured but is unavailable for Liverpool due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Egyptian is eyeing AFCON glory with the Pharaohs and they are within 90 minutes of the final but face Senegal in the semi-final, the team that beat them in the final on penalties in 2021. The encounter is set to be played on Wednesday (5pm kick-off) before the final on January 18.
The earliest Salah could return is for the showdown against Marseille in the Champions League on January 21 or the trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on January 24.
**Return date**: Unknown.
(Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Wataru Endo was a welcome sight back onto the teamsheet on Monday as he featured on the Liverpool bench for the first time since the 3-3 draw with Leeds in December.
The Japanese international picked up an ankle injury during the latter stages of that clash against the Whites. He was unused at Anfield on Monday, but he can be used as another midfield option or defensive alternative.
**Returned**
(SmartFrame/News Images)
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Alexander Isak is continuing his recovery from the lower leg injury that he picked up against Tottenham Hotspur. The Swede underwent surgery and is being tipped to return before the end of the campaign. Some reports, namely in The Athletic, have suggested that the Liverpool record-signing could return in March in time for the business end of the season.
Liverpool will be hoping there isn't too much on the line before then so they can ease the forward back into the frame.
Speaking in December, Slot said: "It's going to be a long injury. A couple of months. That's a big, big big disappointment for him and also for us.
"I'm confident he can (play a part in back end of season). It's been a really challenging and difficult period for him.
"You join a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately your qualities but that was simply impossible. If you haven't trained for two or three months at serious level, in this league you have to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.
"We knew it would take months. We knew it could take him time, that's why he's so unlucky he's now injured as we all saw with his goals versus West Ham and Tottenham he got closer to the player and player he was at Newcastle."
**Return date:** March.
(Getty Images)
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Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from a significant knee injury.
The Italian summer signing has been out since September after he was stretchered off against Southampton on his competitive debut for the Reds. Leoni has been active on social media and expressed his best wishes to Liverpool teammate, Bradley, after he suffered a long-term injury.
**Return date:** Pre-season 2026.
(PA)
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