Liverpool take on Sunderland with as many as eight players unavailable, leaving Slot with limited options.
Liverpool travel to Sunderland on Wednesday night fully aware that getting back to winning ways will not be straightforward, with serious selection issues complicating the task.
Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City was costly in more ways than one. Alongside dropped points, it brought a suspension that further stretched a squad already hit hard by injuries in several key positions.
According to Liverpoolfc.com’s latest squad availability update, last revised on February 8, the Reds are dealing with seven injury concerns in addition to Dominik Szoboszlai’s one-match ban. That leaves Arne Slot potentially without up to eight players for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
The problem is not just the volume of absentees, but where they are concentrated. The right side of Liverpool’s defence, in particular, looks worryingly short of options.
A daunting availability list for Sunderland
The club’s most recent update paints a challenging picture for Wednesday, combining long-term injuries, shorter setbacks and a suspension that removes a valuable stop-gap option.
Based on the official update, the situation is as follows:
• Stefan Bajcetic – Injury (yet to feature in 25/26): Out
• Conor Bradley – Serious knee injury: Out (season)
• Jayden Danns – Fitness issue: Out
• Jeremie Frimpong – Muscle injury: Out
• Joe Gomez – Injury (hoping to return to training): Doubtful / late decision
• Alexander Isak – Ankle surgery (fibula fracture): Out
• Giovanni Leoni – ACL injury: Out (season)
• Dominik Szoboszlai – One-match suspension: Out
Szoboszlai’s absence is especially inconvenient. The midfielder has recently been deployed as an emergency option in an unfamiliar role, and his suspension removes both that flexibility and his usual influence in midfield.
Slot’s growing concern at right-back
While much of the post-City discussion has centred on individual moments, the broader squad context looms large as Liverpool face another quick turnaround.
Slot was candid when discussing the right-sided issues, offering little certainty about potential returns.
“Jeremie, for sure not,” the head coach said. “To be honest, I don’t expect Joe to be back as well, but you never know.”
He also stressed the need to weigh up the risks of rushing Gomez back, while noting that alternative solutions exist.
“We have other players that can play that position as well,” Slot added. “Dom again played a very good game in that position but unfortunately he is unavailable for Wednesday.”
Those comments underline why the Sunderland trip is far from a simple bounce-back opportunity. It is not only about improving performance, but about who is actually available to carry out the plan.
The mental response matters too
Beyond the physical issues, there is also a psychological challenge in reacting to the City defeat. Gary Neville highlighted that aspect while analysing the game.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: “That’ll be a tough take… for Arne Slot and his players.”
Neville focused less on blame and more on how Liverpool respond.
“If they can compartmentalise it… and not let it infect and create something negative, then they’ll still be fine and they’ll still be okay,” he added.
That is the test on Wednesday night: securing the result, maintaining control, and doing so with a makeshift group in a fixture that will demand full intensity and concentration, regardless of the names on the team sheet.
