Liverpool are in domestic cup action once again on Saturday as they welcome Accrington Stanley to Anfield in the FA Cup third round. And with Arne Slot expected to make wholesale changes after the Reds’ League Cup semi-final firs- leg defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, it is perhaps something of a blessing that they are afforded an extra few days before their next Premier League match.

Not at their best at the start of 2025, Liverpool drew 2-2 with Manchester United in their first match of the calendar year prior to their loss to Spurs.

Meanwhile, while the Dutchman has only overseen two defeats in charge of the Reds, they have now failed to win four of their last nine matches.

READ MORE: Liverpool travel nightmare emerges as return from Tottenham plunges into chaos

READ MORE: 'The world is now split' - National media spot same Liverpool issue as Arne Slot told to copy rival

Admittedly, injuries and illness have not helped throughout December, though Liverpool have welcomed back the majority of their walking wounded.

But they could still be without four players when they take on Accrington on Saturday.

Tyler Morton has joined Joe Gomez on the injury list after suffering a knock following an ankle injury, with the midfielder absent from the Reds matchday squad since starting against Southampton in the League Cup quarter-finals last month.

The England Under-21s international had been well-placed to start against the League Two outfit, but now faces a race against time to prove his fitness.

Gomez will definitely miss the game, with Slot confirming he remains out for ‘a few weeks’.

While Liverpool’s current injury list stands out just two players, they have also lost two players to illness.

Jarell Quansah was forced off against Tottenham Hotspur, while Dominik Szoboszlai has missed both the trip to Spurs and the draw with United through illness of his own.

Their absences follow Federico Chiesa also being struck down by illness last month.

It remains to be seen if the pair will be available for Saturday’s cup game, with Slot due to offer an update on his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

But with the Reds next in Premier League action away at third-placed Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Liverpool will hope the extra few days can help them get their sick players back up to speed - while granting minutes to their lesser-used players against Accrington - and avoid any more illnesses spreading through the camp ahead of their trip to the City Ground.

Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez is available to face Stanley, but will miss the trip to Forest through suspension after picking up his fifth Premier League yellow card of the season against Man United.