Liverpool injury latest: Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah and more | OneFootball

Liverpool injury update: Eight players could miss FA Cup clash with Manchester City

Injury update ahead of Etihad showdown

Liverpool’s return from the international break should have brought clarity. Instead, it has delivered a familiar fog of uncertainty. As the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City looms, Arne Slot is grappling with a mounting injury list that could leave as many as eight players unavailable for one of the season’s defining fixtures.

Liverpool’s squad depth is once again being stress-tested at a critical juncture. What was once a campaign built on momentum has become one of disruption, inconsistency and enforced rotation.

Several absentees are already confirmed. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo remain sidelined with longer-term issues, while Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns are still not ready to step back into first-team contention. That is five names immediately ruled out of contention, and the list may yet grow.

For Slot, this is not merely an inconvenience. It is a structural problem. Continuity has been elusive, and with Manchester City awaiting at the Etihad, cohesion becomes as valuable as personnel.

London, England, 8th January 2026. Conor Bradley of Liverpool badly injured during the Arsenal vs Liverpool Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: David Klein / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI_049_DK_Arsenal_Liverpool SPI-4439-0049

Key doubts cloud team selection

Beyond the confirmed absentees, Liverpool face a cluster of major doubts that could tilt the balance of the FA Cup tie. Alisson Becker’s situation is particularly concerning. The Brazilian missed the recent fixture against Brighton, with Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in, and uncertainty still surrounds his availability.

The original source notes that “uncertainty remains over when Alisson will return to the first team,” underlining the fragility of Liverpool’s defensive spine. Against a Manchester City side that thrives on precision, losing a goalkeeper of Alisson’s calibre is not simply a downgrade; it is a tactical shift.

Elsewhere, Hugo Ekitike’s condition has raised eyebrows. Forced off after just nine minutes against Brighton, he appeared in visible discomfort. Yet, intriguingly, he linked up with the France squad and even found the net against Brazil. Whether that cameo signals recovery or masks a lingering issue remains unclear.

Federico Chiesa also enters the conversation as a doubt, having withdrawn from international duty with an injury following a substitute appearance at Brighton. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak continues his rehabilitation from a fractured leg, with the PSG clash viewed as a more realistic return point than the FA Cup.

In total, Liverpool could be without eight players or more, depending on late fitness calls.

FA Cup stakes and season context

This FA Cup tie arrives against a backdrop of tempered expectations. Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has faltered, leaving them outside the summit and searching for consistency. Yet cup competitions offer a different narrative — one where momentum can be rediscovered in a single evening.

Slot knows the significance. Silverware is not just desirable; it is essential to reframe the season. The FA Cup represents a tangible opportunity, especially given Liverpool’s history in the competition, having lifted the trophy eight times, most recently in 2022.

However, facing Manchester City away is among the sternest examinations in English football. Pep Guardiola’s side rarely offer second chances, and any vulnerability — particularly through injuries — is ruthlessly exposed.

Liverpool must therefore balance risk and reward. Do they rush players back and risk aggravation, or trust in squad depth and emerging talent? It is a dilemma that defines modern elite management.

Squad resilience under pressure

If there is a thread of optimism, it lies in Liverpool’s ability to adapt. This is not the first time injuries have reshaped their season, and it will not be the last. The emergence of younger players and the versatility within the squad provide options, even if they are not ideal.

Mohamed Salah’s expected return offers a significant boost. His availability injects experience, goal threat and leadership — all vital against a side like Manchester City. In high-stakes cup ties, individuals often decide outcomes, and Salah remains Liverpool’s most decisive figure.

Yet the broader narrative is one of resilience. Liverpool’s campaign has oscillated between promise and frustration, but the FA Cup presents a chance to recalibrate. Win at the Etihad, and the noise surrounding injuries fades. Lose, and questions intensify.

As highlighted by the original source, DaveOCKOP, the coming days will be pivotal. Fitness updates, late assessments and tactical decisions will shape not only the FA Cup journey but the perception of Liverpool’s season as a whole.

For now, uncertainty reigns. And in football, uncertainty is rarely a friend.