Liverpool will be without both Wataru Endo and Cody Gakpo for a number of weeks, but Arne Slot provided a more positive update on Federico Chiesa ahead of Brighton.
Endo and Gakpo both missed the 1-0 win over Inter Milan in midweek and there are now doubts over their involvement through the festive period.
That comes after ankle and muscle injuries respectively, with Slot ruling both out for “weeks” when speaking ahead of the visit of Brighton.
However, he told reporters in his pre-match press conference that Chiesa would be available again having missed the trip to Milan.
“Federico is not ill anymore,” Slot explained.
“He trained yesterday and he will train today, so I assume he is ready to be in the squad tomorrow again.”
Liverpool are facing another doubt when it comes to Alexander Isak, with the head coach revealing the Swede had picked up a knock] early on against Inter.
“So let’s see how he has recovered from that today,” Slot said.
“[We will see] if he’s able to start tomorrow and, if he is able, if I make the decision to start [Isak and Hugo Ekitike] again together or we do it in a different way.”
Liverpool short of options vs. Brighton: Frimpong out?
There was no update on Jeremie Frimpong, with it assumed that the right-back is still not fully fit after a long-term hamstring injury.
Slot also knows he will be without Conor Bradley for the clash with Brighton at Anfield, having earned a one-match suspension for five yellow cards in the Premier League.
A decision will be made on Mohamed Salah‘s involvement following talks on Friday morning, but if the Egyptian misses out Liverpool could have only 13 senior outfield players available plus youngsters Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.
Joe Gomez is set to be one of those brought into the side, with further changes expected as Milos Kerkez and possibly Chiesa to come in.
Florian Wirtz could also be back in starting contention and could replace one of Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones or perhaps Isak if Slot opts to switch formation from his 4-4-2 diamond.