Liverpool could be missing as many as 14 players for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Brighton, with head coach Andoni Iraola facing a selection headache. The Reds host the in-form Seagulls at Anfield, aiming to strengthen their push for a top-four finish.
Iraola's main concern is Victor Munoz, who is a doubt after picking up a knock at Brentford last weekend. The injury kept him out of Tuesday's Champions League win over Villarreal, and his availability for the Brighton game remains uncertain.
Key Absentees and Long-Term Injuries
Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong are both still out after being forced off early at Brentford. Szoboszlai has aggravated a previous hamstring problem, while Frimpong is not expected to return until after the November international break due to a muscle issue.
Three other players will definitely miss the game as they continue their recovery from long-term injuries. Forward Hugo Ekitike faces a battle to feature again this calendar year after suffering a serious Achilles injury in early April, while right-back Conor Bradley is still recovering from the major knee damage he sustained at Arsenal in early January.
Centre-back Giovanni Leoni is edging nearer a return to first-team training after being sidelined since last September with an ACL injury, but he is not expected back until the middle of next month.
Brighton's Own Injury Woes
Brighton are also dealing with several absences. They will definitely be without speedy Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, wide man Zadok Yohanna, and strikers Stefan Tzimas and Evan Ferguson.
One-time Liverpool target Yankuba Minteh could be involved after missing the season to date through injury, while defender Mats Wieffer, midfielder Pascal Struijk, and winger Femi Azeez are all doubts.
Meanwhile, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa are back available for Liverpool after being ineligible for the Champions League opening stage. The Reds have lost to Brighton at home only once in approaching 44 years, and they will hope to extend that record despite the injury list.
