Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning (January 16) at the AXA Training Centre, Slot emphasized that the team remains in a relatively healthy position overall. “We have Giovanni Leoni out for the season, Conor Bradley out for the season and Alexander Isak out for multiple months but the rest I think everyone is fit,” he stated. This marks a subtle boost for the Reds, who have navigated a challenging campaign marked by defensive strains and inconsistent domestic results, yet boast an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
The key long-term absentees include:
- Conor Bradley — The young right-back suffered a serious knee injury in last week’s goalless draw at Arsenal, undergoing surgery this week. Scans ruled out an ACL tear, but he is ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, with a likely return in pre-season for 2026/27. This has stretched Liverpool’s defensive options thin, leaving Slot with just six first-team defenders available and prompting questions about potential January market activity—though the manager offered a measured response, noting alignment within the club on the challenges without committing to immediate action.
- Alexander Isak — The Swedish striker, who joined from Newcastle in the summer, picked up a lower leg injury requiring surgery after a heavy challenge in the win over Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas. Slot indicated a recovery timeline of at least a few months, with hopes he could return late in the campaign (potentially March 2026 or beyond).
- Giovanni Leoni — The central defender has been sidelined since September with a season-ending issue, targeting a return in summer 2026.
Slot reported no new injury worries from recent games, including the FA Cup third-round win over Barnsley (4-1), where teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha was substituted due to what the manager hoped was merely cramp rather than a serious problem. Ngumoha is not ruled out and could feature against Burnley if assessments confirm his fitness.
On the international front, Mohamed Salah remains unavailable for the Burnley fixture due to Egypt’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off against Nigeria on Saturday in Tangier. FIFA rules require players to stay with their national teams until the morning after their final match, so Salah will return to Liverpool next week—potentially in time for the midweek Champions League clash against Marseille, though Slot noted ongoing discussions about his exact availability. The Egyptian’s absence has contributed to a dip in attacking output, with Liverpool’s shots per game at a low ebb this season.
The update provides relief for fans amid broader squad concerns, including Andy Robertson‘s recent comments on seeking more minutes (which Slot praised as mature) and defensive depth issues exposed by Bradley’s setback. Slot highlighted opportunities for fringe players like Calvin Ramsay to step up, praising the youngster’s progression from the Under-21s while acknowledging injuries create chances for others.
Liverpool head into the game against 19th-placed Burnley—managed by Scott Parker and winless in their last 12 Premier League outings—looking to end a run of three consecutive league draws and secure vital points in the race for Champions League qualification. Despite Burnley’s struggles, Slot warned of their danger, noting how they make games tough for opponents with a low block and resilience.
With most of the squad available, Slot can likely field a strong side featuring returns like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in attack, aiming to capitalize on home advantage and break through against a defensive-minded Clarets. Victory would extend the unbeaten streak to 12 and keep pressure on rivals like Aston Villa in the top-four battle.
Supporters will welcome the lack of new blows, though the long-term trio’s absences continue to test squad depth in a demanding second half of the season. All eyes now turn to Anfield for what Slot hopes will be a step toward “things really clicking” for his side.
