MatchLiverpool v Sunderland: Team news

The Reds swiftly return to action against the Black Cats in an 8.15pm GMT kick-off, having been able to call upon the returning Alisson Becker, Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez last weekend at West Ham United.

However, Bradley and Frimpong will remain sidelined due to injury for the Anfield fixture, while Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee.

During his pre-match press conference, head coach Slot was quizzed on the possibility of rotating his squad with this the second of three games in seven days.

He said: “I haven’t thought so much about that because yesterday we had recovery and after this press conference we’re going to train, so let’s see how players feel. Florian, for example, has missed out one-and-a-half or two weeks of training.

“So, for him to already play so many minutes was a good thing and we played again Joe Gomez, so let’s see. It was encouraging to see Florian playing that well, but it’s not the first time he played well for us. Maybe it was the first time other people noticed, but I’ve seen him playing well for us many times already.

“For Alex [Isak] to score his first goal was also very positive. Also, a player who couldn’t play I think five to 10 more minutes than he played, because he told me yesterday he felt a little bit of cramp coming up already.

“So, another player where we should see how he does when he trains today.”

On the possibility of Wirtz, Gomez and Isak playing three times in a week, Slot continued: “I think they’re not able to play three times 90 [minutes] - that’s for sure.

“I have to wait and see how they feel today [to see] if they are able tomorrow [to play] from the start again. All three of them can be involved in all three games if they don’t get an injury, that’s a fair assumption to make.”

Slot also confirmed Mohamed Salah will join up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15.

On whether he will try out different team selections in the coming weeks in preparation, he added: “No, I think in a few weeks he’s already at the Africa Cup of Nations, so we have to find then a way to play without him because he’s not there. That’s true.”

Sunderland, meanwhile, have been handed a clean bill of health from the squad that faced AFC Bournemouth last time out, with Noah Sadiki passed match-fit.

Regis Le Bris, though, will remain without longer-term absentees Aji Alese and Habib Diarra at Anfield.

Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin also continue to build up their fitness after recently returning for the club’s U21s side following injury.

The Black Cats boss, who himself is facing up to seven of his players departing his squad ahead of AFCON, said: “We have a strong group. We don’t have any [new] injuries and the players who haven’t played much before will have opportunities to play.

“I think they can contribute as well. The group is powerful with different options. We will see.”

On facing Liverpool, he added: “It’s another game in a really special place and atmosphere.

“Even if we have a young team, they now have good experiences and they want to be competitive. Otherwise, we become spectators.

“Liverpool are strong, but at the same time we want to be competitive.”

Last match

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool (November 30): Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Isak.

Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth (November 29): Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Mandava, Xhaka, Sadiki, Traore, Le Fee, Talbi, Isidor.