Liverpool boss Arne Slot is hopeful Hugo Ekitike will return from injury to feature against Barnsley in the FA Cup.
The striker has missed the last two league matches with a hamstring issue, leaving Cody Gakpo to lead the line.
Slot is short of options in attack, with Alexander Isak a long-term absentee and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt progressing into the semi-finals of AFCON.
Hosting the League One side will provide the manager an opportunity for rotation, but Slot is determined to have Ektike in his squad.
Hugo Ekitike Liverpool Injury Update
The Dutchman said: “Hugo, that is not 100 per cent sure but we will do everything to have him available on Monday.”
When asked whether Federico Chiesa could be handed an opportunity, Slot added: “I spoke to him two days ago, and he said to me that he played more in the recent weeks than he ever did before under me.
“But he is one of the players who could feature in that game, definitely.
“But, like I said, Hugo might be back so let’s see how we will start that game. He is one of the options that I have, so let’s see.”
Chiesa has been linked with Juventus and could depart Liverpool this month, given his lack of gametime this season.
The Italian has made 15 league appearances this season, but only one of those has come from the start.
Chiesa is also looking for a move to help with his bid to represent Italy at the World Cup if they can seal their place through the play-offs.
Predicted Liverpool XI to face Barnsley
With Slot ready to rest several first-team names, opportunity could knock for several fringe players and youngsters.
Conor Bradley is out and will miss the rest of the season, while Wataru Endo is unlikely to be fit following two months on the sidelines.
Slot also confirmed that Jayden Danns will miss out, adding: “Not even training, if I’m correct. One of the players who got a stress fracture because he is young and, from what we’ve been told, was a bit over-trained.
“That’s why we are so careful with Rio Ngumoha, that he’s two days a week off the pitch if that’s possible, to not have that same situation with him. But Jayden is definitely not available in the short term.”
The likes of Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch could be rested, having featured heavily throughout the season.
Liverpool predicted XI: Mamardashvili, Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Nyoni, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Frimpong, Chiesa.
