MatchLiverpool v Qarabag: Champions League team news

Joe Gomez has been ruled out with the injury that forced him off in last weekend's defeat by AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

"I can confirm that he is not available for tomorrow evening," Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

With Ibrahima Konate (personal reasons) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) also absent, Slot admitted the requirement for one of his players to deputise at centre-half.

Wataru Endo stepped into the role alongside Virgil van Dijk against Bournemouth and is an option there again.

The Japan captain made his first Liverpool appearance since December 6 when he replaced Gomez in the 34th minute.

"He [Endo] has been out with an injury for quite a long time, he had to play against Bournemouth [for] quite a long time and now, tomorrow, there's a game coming up and then three days later another game [is] coming up," said Slot.

"As I also said, that's not the only way I decide on my line-up – tactics are involved in that as well. It is for sure at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back, I can only play a midfielder there because there are no [other] centre-backs available."

Federico Chiesa has missed the Reds' previous two matches but was involved in their training session on the eve of this game.

Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, could be set for a return to the starting line-up after beginning on the bench versus the Cherries.

Slot explained: "He [Ekitike] was out with an injury for two weeks and then he had to play quite a lot of games. And with only one No.9 available for the upcoming months, it made sense to me to manage his load as well."

Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak are long-term absentees.

If he were to receive a yellow card, Curtis Jones would be suspended for Liverpool's next Champions League fixture.

Slot's side, who are already assured at least a place in the knockout play-offs, can guarantee automatic progress to the last 16 with a win.

Kevin Medina and Matheus Silva are also walking the disciplinary tightrope for Qarabag, who are looking to secure a spot in the knockout round play-offs.

The Azerbaijani side sit 18th in the league-phase standings and made 11 changes for their 2-0 defeat at home to Kapaz on Saturday.

Attacking midfielder Kady Borges returned to the bench in that last outing, having recovered from an injury he sustained against Chelsea in November.

"The players in this team are very good players and we want to play very good," head coach Gurban Gurbanov told reporters. "I believe in my players.

"Tomorrow they will show a very good game and play well. This is a very difficult game that we're entering."

Last match

AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool (January 24): Alisson, Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo.

Qarabag 0-2 Kapaz (January 24): Buntic, Addai, Akhundzade, Bayramov, Chriso, Dani Bolt, A. Huseynov, B. Huseynov, Kashchuk, Mmaee, Qurbanly.