Liverpool has 5 players missing vs. Sunderland as Arne Slot hints at changes

Dominik Szoboszlai will serve his one-game suspension against Sunderland, joining Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Alexander Isak on the sidelines, but Joe Gomez could return

Arne Slot has confirmed the early team news for Wednesday's game against Sunderland(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai for Wednesday's game against Sunderland, as he joins four other players on the sidelines in another blow to head coach Arne Slot.

Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City, following a controversial foul on Erling Haaland. As it was the denial of a goalscoring opportunity, and not violent conduct, Szoboszlai will only miss one game.

However, Liverpool faces a fight to secure a Champions League spot after slipping out of the top four in recent weeks, and Sunderland hasn't lost at home this season. Liverpool travels to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

Slot has confirmed that defender Jeremie Frimpong will also miss Wednesday's game due to a back injury, and Szoboszlai remains unavailable. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Alexander Isak remain long-term absentees, but there is a positive update regarding Joe Gomez.

Despite not training with Liverpool after working his way back from an injury, Slot confirmed in Tuesday's pregame press conference that Gomez is ready to be welcomed back. "Joe has not trained with us yet. I’m expecting him to train with us today for the first time," Slot said.

"If Joe’s not ready to start, then we’re missing four players that have played in that position, but Curtis [Jones] and Wata [Endo] also played in that position this year, so we’ve had six different right fullbacks this season."

Arne Slot speaking during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Liverpool's trip to Sunderland

Liverpool has been extremely short at the back, but Gomez could provide some respite if he is fit to play. Liverpool attempted to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in January after a failed summer move, but City swooped in to acquire the defender.

After the 2-1 defeat on Sunday, Liverpool is five points behind Manchester United, who are sitting fourth in the Premier League. Champions League soccer seems essential for Liverpool this season, and the club has 13 games to ensure it moves up the table.

When asked what Liverpool needs to do between now and the end of the season, Slot said: "Yeah, close to perfection because of the points we're behind. We also know that it's different when you are four points behind a team that's 18th or 19th in the league, because they usually don't pick up as many points as the number three, four or five picks up.

Liverpool drew 1-1 at home to Sunderland earlier this season(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

"So, to close the gap of four or five points towards the number three, four or five that means you have to win a lot. And that's not what we've done this season a lot, so that's why that has to be better and we have to come close to perfection.

"Margins are indeed very small because seven minutes before the end [on Sunday] we thought we were five points behind [Manchester] City. Five minutes later, we were 11 points behind."

Although Sunderland is a newly promoted team, it is unbeaten at home, and Slot knows that Wednesday will be a tough encounter. "But it's not only that they [Sunderland] have a good record at home, they have had a very good season," he said.

"But the record at home, I was aware of that as well. And already played against City and Arsenal at home, so that tells you how good of a season they are having and how strong and good they are at home."