Curtis Jones is the most likely to come into Arne Slot‘s side as Liverpool head to Sunderland without his second-most used player in Dominik Szoboszlai.
Only Virgil van Dijk has clocked more minutes on the pitch for Liverpool this season than Szoboszlai, so his suspension for the trip to Sunderland is a huge blow.
It is one Slot must navigate knowing that he is also without his two senior right-backs in Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong while another, Joe Gomez, is not yet fully fit.
All signs point to Jones being brought in – but it remains to be seen in which role.
Liverpool team news vs. Sunderland: Gomez back, 8 out
Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Sunderland: Endo or Jones?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 24, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones after scoring his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at the Brentford Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot named an unchanged side for the visit of Man City on Sunday and, with even fewer options available, it is possible he opts for minimal rotation again.
That could mean a simple change at right-back with Szoboszlai unavailable, and Jones is the most viable candidate to take over.
If Jones is brought in as the only alteration to the side from the weekend, this is how Liverpool would line up:
Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
However, while Slot emphatically ruled out Calvin Ramsay in his pre-match press conference he did also acknowledge Wataru Endo as a right-back option.
Bringing Endo in for Szoboszlai could provide more defensive solidity in the role, which would help counter the threat of Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi, who scored in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in December.
That would also allow Jones to come into midfield instead, providing the option of pairing him with Ryan Gravenberch and shifting Alexis Mac Allister further forward at the expense of Cody Gakpo.
Slot found success earlier in the season with Mac Allister as a No. 10 and Florian Wirtz on the left so it is certainly worth considering:
Alisson; Endo, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Liverpool are in the middle of a run of three games in seven days so it is clearly possible that Slot employs heavier rotation ahead of the visit of Brighton in the FA Cup.
But with the Premier League a priority as the Reds bid for a top-five finish, don’t rule out a simple like-for-like swap at right-back.