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Liverpool trained ahead of facing Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, with Alexander Isak missing through injury but Joe Gomez spotted and Federico Chiesa all smiles
Liverpool will have had a full week to prepare for the visit of Wolves by the time Saturday's game kicks off, with Arne Slot handing his players the rare luxury of having Christmas Day off this year.
Normally, with games usually scheduled for Boxing Day, the players are required to check in on December 25 for training. However, the schedule this year is a little kinder, and as a result of being out of the League Cup, it has been a quieter month.
Given the number of injuries that Slot's side is contending with, it is probably a good job. The issues are mounting and Alexander Isak is set to be sidelined for a good while. Here's what we spotted in training.
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Isak, of course, was not spotted at the AXA Training Centre. The Swedish striker has undergone successful surgery for the injury sustained to his leg and will be out for months.
Neither Conor Bradley nor Cody Gakpo, rated at 50:50 by Arne Slot in terms of their chances of making the Wolves games, were present, and neither was Wataru Endo, but Joe Gomez — who won't be fit enough to face Wolves — was pictured in the gym.
Mohamed Salah is at AFCON and Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee, so that totals six players probably not available for the Wolves match through injury and one because of international duty. Additionally, Dominik Szoboszlai will be suspended.
Dominik Szoboszlai suspended
Szoboszlai was present as the team prepared for the game, but the Hungary captain is unavailable due to a one-match ban. He picked up his fifth booking of the Premier League season to date at Spurs.
Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz could form a midfield four with Szoboszlai absent. Jeremie Frimpong could add some width, but that would require Bradley to be fit enough to start at full-back.
Federico Chiesa, who was all smiles here, could also be set to get a chance. Since signing for Liverpool, though, the Italian has only ever started one Premier League game — the meaningless defeat to Brighton in May.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha chance
Trey Nyoni made his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Tottenham last time out — something overlooked amid the injury to Isak and the fact that he has become a fairly familiar face under Slot, just not in that competition.
The England youth international could feature again versus Wolves. Though he is unlikely to start, he was prominent in the training pictures and is a big talent.
If ever he is going to get meaningful minutes, at home to a team with two points this season might be a good time.
The same could be said for Rio Ngumoha, perhaps. If Gakpo is still out, then there could be space for someone to fill in on the left. It is unlikely he would be selected in the first XI, but perhaps could come off the bench.
Youngsters to help fill the bench
Calvin Ramsay, Tommy Pilling and Kieran Morrison were among those to take part in the training session with the senior players here. On Saturday, they could be required to make up the numbers on the bench, like Wellity Lucky at Tottenham.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, there will be a clamor for Liverpool to get itself into a better position in terms of injuries by spending.
Gakpo and Bradley are not far away from a return, however, and Liverpool should be able to get through matches against Wolves and Leeds even if they miss out. The center-back position remains a worry, but Crystal Palace is unlikely to want to lose Marc Guehi mid-season.
Even with players sidelined, Liverpool won't be pressed into making any rash spending decisions. It does, just about, have enough players for now, with some on the comeback trail and nearing a return. The sooner that happens, however, the better.
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