9 players at risk of missing Sunderland vs Liverpool as injury crisis takes hold

Liverpool will be without several key players for the team's Premier League clash against Sunderland, with Dominik Szoboszlai suspended, but Joe Gomez potentially returning from injury

Arne Slot is missing several key players(Image: Getty Images)

Both Liverpool and Sunderland will be missing key players for the Premier League showdown on Wednesday.

The Reds are set to journey to the Stadium of Light to take on the newly-promoted side, aiming to rebound from their weekend loss. Arne Slot's players suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in their last outing, a match that also saw Dominik Szoboszlai receive a red card in the dying seconds.

Szoboszlai will now serve a suspension and will be absent for Liverpool's encounter with Sunderland, joining several other players who won't make the matchday squad. Liverpool will also be without Alexander Isak, who is still on the mend from a fractured fibula and ankle injury he sustained back in December.

Jeremie Frimpong is another absentee for Liverpool, as the right-back recovers from a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Man City.

Joe Gomez could potentially be available for Liverpool, having missed the last two matches due to an injury he picked up in the loss to Bournemouth last month.

Slot confirmed his hopes of having Gomez back in training on Tuesday, but it remains uncertain whether the defender will be fit to face Sunderland.

Joe Gomez hasn't played since last month(Image: Getty Images)

"Joe hasn't trained with us yet," Slot confirmed on Tuesday.

"I'm expecting him today for the first time.

"Indeed, if Joe is not ready to start, then we are missing four players that have played in that position (right-back).

"But Curtis (Jones) and Wata (Wataru Endo) have played in this position, so we've had six different right full-backs this season."

Liverpool will also be without long-term absentees Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, who are both anticipated to remain unavailable for the remainder of the campaign.

Sunderland will likewise have several players missing for the encounter with Liverpool, including forward Bertrand Traore and midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Traore continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury, while Xhaka has been absent for the previous three Premier League fixtures with an ankle problem.

Both players are anticipated to miss the fixture against Liverpool, as will January acquisition Jocelin Ta Bi, who has yet to make his debut for the club owing to an ankle injury.