Liverpool travel to Sunderland on Wednesday needing a response after a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City saw their season hit a new low. Arne Slot's side led through Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free kick before conceding two late goals at Anfield.
Szoboszlai will be absent for the clash after being sent off against City. The Hungarian midfielder was dismissed for pulling back Erling Haaland as the pair sprinted, with the decision made following a VAR review that disallowed a City goal from Rayan Cherki. The ban is for one match, meaning Szoboszlai will be available for the FA Cup tie with Brighton and the Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest on February 22.
Slot is also contending with an injury crisis on the right side of defence. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are both sidelined, and Szoboszlai had previously deputised there. Yet Calvin Ramsay, who signed from Aberdeen in 2022, remains out of favour. Slot ruled out starting the Scottish full-back, saying: "I've chosen other players until now, and that's also what I'm going to do tomorrow."
Ramsay has endured a difficult time at Anfield, with loan spells at Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock, and is yet to start a Premier League game for Liverpool. Slot suggested midfielders Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo as options at right-back, while Joe Gomez could return from injury but remains doubtful.
