Liverpool kicked off 2024 in style with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield that took them three points clear at the top of the Premier League. However, it was a victory that may well have come at a cost.

As Reds boss Jurgen Klopp admitted after the game that midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was injured. “We wanted to take him off,” Klopp said. “It was the plan but unfortunately it was a minute late because in the last situation he felt the hamstring.

“Now we don’t know the extent of it, obviously. We have to wait.”

However, there was some welcome injury news for Klopp when the fit-again Alexis Mac Allister stepped off the bench to thread a beautiful pass through to Diogo Jota that has almost been forgotten about given the furore around the penalty decision that followed it.

Both Jota and Mac Allister could now make their first starts since returning from injury in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash at Premier League title rivals Arsenal. But along with the departed Salah and Endo, Liverpool could be without a further seven players…

Dominik Szoboszlai

It was clear that Szoboszlai was in discomfort when he held the back of his leg before limping his way around and off the Anfield pitchBut what isn’t clear is just how long the Hungary captain will be out for.

That is something the Reds’ medical team at the AXA Training Centre will be looking to get to the bottom of in the coming days. But, given Klopp confirmed it was a hamstring injury, in appears unlikely that Szoboszlai will be fit to face Arsenal this weekend.

Andy Robertson

Robertson is set to make a timely return this month after being out since dislocating his shoulder on international duty with Scotland in October. The left-back, was forced to undergo surgery and has therefore missed Liverpool’s rise to the top of the Premier League and Scotland’s successful Euro 2024 qualification bid.

Discussing Robertson’s condition recently, Klopp said: “Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder. Obviously it was a big surgery. (He is) still not even close to team training or whatever.

“(He) can do a lot, everything without using the arm properly, which is obviously good but on the other side shows us we still have a long way to go. For sure, I think, the full January he has to get closer and closer.”

Expected return date: January

Liverpool are currently operating without an out-and-out left-back after Tsimikas, who had been deputising for Robertson, suffered a nasty injury in the 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal last month.

Following a challenge from Gunners winger Bukayo Saka, Tsimikas clattered into Klopp on the touchline and landed awkwardly on his shoulder. It was clear immediately that the Greece international was in a lot of pain. And after the game, his manager confirmed the bad news. Klopp said: “He broke his collarbone at least. That’s really bad for us.”

Joe Gomez, who has made his name as a centre-back or right-back, is currently filling it at left-back. Although the Reds have recalled youngster Owen Beck from his loan spell at Dundee.

Expected return date: Unknown

Thiago Alcantara

Thiago hasn’t featured for the Reds since their win over West Ham United back in April. A hip issue has proven problematic for the midfielder, who underwent surgery in a bid to bring an end to the problem. The last update issued on Thiago came on Friday.

“I think Thiago will be at one point in team training (in January),” Klopp said. “Thiago is in a very good moment as well but we just have to make sure we don’t use him then too early. The hip thing in and around that area is just a long-term thing as well.

“There were for sure days where he could have easily trained but it’s all about how can he be back then in the long term, and that’s what we are working on.”

Expected return date: January

Joel Matip

Matip is recovering from surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 32-year-old, who is the final months of his contract at Anfield, is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The centre-back was left stricken on the Anfield turf in the 70th-minute of the dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham after an off-the-ball incident. “It’s an ACL, ruptured, so that’s what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. Very unfortunate,” Klopp said.

Expected return date: Unknown

Ben Doak

Doak was recently forced off in an under-21s match against Chelsea, sustaining a bang to the knee. It came as a huge blow to the young winger, who had enjoyed first-team outings in both the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

The Scot is not expected to be rushed back anytime soon. Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said of Doak’s condition recently: “That’s not a good one. He teared his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery.

“That one will take (a) longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. He can take time and we will wait for him.”

Expected return date: Unknown

Stefan Bajcetic

Bajcetic has endured a frustrating period in his fledgling Liverpool careeer after a number of injury problems.

He enjoyed a strong debut campaign last season but saw it end prematurely after suffering a stress response in his adductor in March. Bajcetic returned in September with outings in the Carabao Cup and Europa League but his involvement against LASK Linz proved to be his last after suffering a calf issue.

A recovery date for the midfielder remains unconfirmed. Discussing Bajcetic during a recent press conference, Klopp remarked: “With Stefan, if you ask Stefan how he feels, he says ‘good’. ‘Could you train?’ Yes, he could. It’s just we have to be sensible. That’s how it is.”

Expected return date: Unknown