Liverpool are facing an increasing injury crisis as four players will be absent in the big match against Manchester City.
The Kop will head to the Etihad Stadium as they fight to get their Premier League title race back on track. Arne Slot's side have drawn two of their last three games, the other of which was a defeat to Wolves at Anfield.
They still maintain an 8-point gap at the top of the table, although the second-placed team Arsenal could narrow the gap to 5 points if they defeat West Ham. The Gunners have also played one game less than Liverpool.
Slot will be keen to get a positive result against Man City, having dominated the first leg at Anfield earlier this season. However, he would have to do it without his four key stars.
The draw with Villa saw Conor Bradley forced off with a muscle injury with 24 minutes left. Liverpool are yet to fully understand the seriousness of the injury, but Bradley is expected to miss the entire clash with Newcastle.
In addition to Bradley, Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo and Tyler Morton are also unable to play for Liverpool. Gomez has undergone hamstring surgery and is not expected to return until the final weeks of the season.
Meanwhile, the Everton injury kept Gakpo out of Liverpool's last two games. He has not returned to training with the team and will have to undergo a fitness test.
Tyler Morton also underwent shoulder surgery, which sidelined him for a while. The updated injury list means Slot has no substitutes for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The English defender has also just returned from injury alongside Diogo Jota. Slot admitted that he must carefully manage the duo's playing time when they return.
"We talked about it a week ago, Arnold, you have to know how many minutes you will play. That is in a situation where Conor Bradley could also play. Now we can adjust our plans," Slot said.
In addition, the Dutch strategist also spoke out about Liverpool's difficult match schedule. "Our schedule is very difficult now. We have had some tough games in a row, but that is something you have to accept. The good thing is that we are not below anyone. We are still number one and it's good for you to enter a series of games like this," Slot added.
