Arne Slot: Liverpool missing seven for Spurs clash, Szoboszlai could start

Szoboszlai is expected to be ready for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after being forced off during last weekend’s 2-0 home victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Hungarian midfielder, regarded as a crucial component of Slot’s system, will feature only if he is deemed “completely fit” following further assessment. That win over Brighton extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, and the Reds will be aiming to make it six against Spurs.

There is also reassurance regarding Cody Gakpo, who is nursing a knock. While the forward remains sidelined, the club believe the issue is not as serious as initially feared. However, Joe Gomez, who was also withdrawn against Brighton, will miss the Tottenham match.

Liverpool will, however, welcome increased options at right-back. Conor Bradley returns after serving a suspension that ruled him out of the Brighton fixture, while Jeremie Frimpong has resumed full training following a muscle problem. Frimpong sustained the injury during Liverpool’s 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22.

Despite the positive developments, Slot still faces a lengthy injury list. Gomez, Gakpo, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns and Kaide Gordon are all unavailable through injury, bringing the total absentees to seven.

Mohamed Salah will also miss the match, as he is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Joe is not in the squad as well for the weekend and Dominik trained yesterday, parts of the training (session), for the first time, so let's see where he is today and how he is tomorrow. Jeremie is in the squad again as well," said Slot.

Asked about Szoboszlai possibly starting, he added: "That completely depends on how he does today. So if can fulfil the whole training session and then you speak to the player and the medical staff. If the player feels comfortable to play and he did all the things he had to do, then he will start.

"If he can fulfil the whole session or he fulfils it but he doesn't feel comfortable himself we will have a discussion.

"But Dom has been a starter for me in the one-and-a-half years I am here now and for the performances he's brought in, he would be a starter tomorrow if he is completely fit."