10 Players Could Miss Liverpool vs Newcastle United

Liverpool face a defensive crisis ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with up to 10 players potentially sidelined due to injuries.[1][3][4]

Liverpool's Injury Woes

Manager Arne Slot confirmed that new signing Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out after suffering his fourth hamstring injury of the season during Liverpool's 6-0 Champions League win over Qarabag. Frimpong, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £375 million, exited after just four minutes, holding his hamstring (initially thought to be groin).[1][3][4] This marks another blow in his debut Merseyside campaign, having already missed 18 games.[4]

Compounding the issue: Conor Bradley (long-term injury), Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, and others leave Slot short at right-back. Slot noted, "Jeremie is out... We might be one or two players short," hinting at a thinner squad than last season's title-winning campaign.[1][4] He won't panic-buy before Monday's transfer deadline, insisting on "smart decisions" aligned with long-term vision.[1][3]

Newcastle's Absences

Newcastle also grapple with injuries: Lewis Hall (ankle/foot, ruled out until at least August 2025), Alexander Isak (groin/hip/pelvic, no return date after withdrawing from national duty), and Lewis Miley (sports hernia, currently assessed at 25% fitness).[2] These could weaken their attack and defense significantly.

Match Implications

With Liverpool entering a lighter schedule (one game per week post-Champions League advancement), Slot hopes for fewer injuries but faces tough tests against Newcastle and Manchester City.[1][4] Frimpong's prolonged absence—potentially weeks—raises squad depth concerns, though no immediate replacements are available at Liverpool's required level.[1][3]

The fixture pits two injury-hit sides, potentially leveling the playing field as both managers navigate depleted rosters in a high-stakes Premier League encounter.

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