Liverpool XI vs Newcastle: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Reds have suffered an injury crisis in central defence

Arne Slot will be hoping to welcome Ibrahima Konate back to the side when Liverpool host Newcastle on Saturday.

Another name out for the Reds is Joe Gomez, who was taken off injured in the 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth last weekend.

The England defender’s niggle, combined with Konate’s absence, meant that Virgil van Dijk was the only senior centre-back available to Slot for the Qarabag fixture.

Ryan Gravenberch dropped into the back four to cover and partner his compatriot.

There was another blow when Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool’s only fit right-back in Conor Bradley’s absence, limped off against the Azerbaijani side, with Slot confirming that he had suffered a groin injury.

Sidelined again: Jeremie Frimpong

Peter Byrne/PA Wire

"He will be out for a period of time,” Slot said of the summer signing.

“If you have a problem and have to go off like that, that usually tells you straight away. Let's wait and see what the upcoming days can bring."

Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are the two longer-term absentees for the Reds, while Federico Chiesa returned to action off the bench against Qarabag, marking his comeback with a goal.

As such, Liverpool are a tad depleted for their encounter with Newcastle this weekend.

Alisson will start in goal as usual, but at right-back, it is likely to be a midfielder plugging a gap.

It could be Dominik Szoboszlai or it could be Curtis Jones, both of whom have filled in at full-back under Slot.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson continue to tussle for the starting berth, with Robertson a transfer target for Tottenham as his contract runs down at Anfield.

In central defence, if Konate does return, expect him to partner van Dijk, but if he remains out, then Gravenberch will likely find himself at the heart of defence once more.

That will leave space in midfield for Alexis Mac Allister and one of Szoboszlai or Jones, whichever doesn’t play at right-back.

Ahead of them, Florian Wirtz will be the No10, with Cody Gakpo off the left and Mohamed Salah on the right, with Hugo Ekitike up top.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, van Djik, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Doubt: Konate

Injured: Bradley, Frimpong, Gomez, Isak, Leoni

Venue: Anfield

Date and time: 8pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026

How to watch: TNT Sports