Liverpool could be without as many as nine players when they travel to Villa Park on Friday night for what amounts to a Champions League qualification final against Aston Villa.

The Reds' injury list continues to grow at the worst possible time, with Florian Wirtz the latest casualty after missing Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea due to a stomach infection. Manager Arne Slot will provide crucial updates on his squad's fitness when he faces the media this morning.

The biggest question marks hang over two of Liverpool's most important players. Alisson Becker has been sidelined for nine matches with a hamstring problem, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili to deputise between the sticks. The Brazilian goalkeeper's return would be a massive boost for such a pivotal fixture.

Mohamed Salah presents another headache for Slot. The Egyptian has missed two matches with his own minor hamstring issue, and his availability could prove decisive in Liverpool's quest to secure a top-five finish. Both players have been working hard to return for what could be the penultimate game of the season.

Saturday's Chelsea draw brought fresh concerns when Ibrahima Konate limped off during the match. However, Slot later explained that both Konate and teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who also departed early, were merely suffering from cramp rather than serious injury.

The longer-term absentees paint a grim picture of Liverpool's medical room. Hugo Ekitike faces months of rehabilitation following surgery on an Achilles tendon rupture suffered against Paris Saint-Germain last month. The striker went under the knife and won't be seen again this campaign.

Conor Bradley's season ended with a knee operation back in January, whilst teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been missing since September following ACL surgery. The young Italian defender won't return until the summer.

Wataru Endo continues his recovery from ankle surgery performed in February, though the Japanese midfielder is edging closer to full training. Meanwhile, youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns haven't featured in the Premier League this season and remain unlikely to do so.

Wirtz's stomach bug, whilst hopefully brief according to Slot, couldn't have come at a worse time. The young midfielder had been finding his feet in Liverpool's system before this latest setback.

The stakes couldn't be higher for Friday's encounter. Whichever side emerges victorious at Villa Park will seal their Champions League qualification for next season. For Liverpool, missing so many key players makes an already difficult task even more challenging.

Slot will know that his squad depth is about to be tested to its limits. With Harvey Elliott currently out on loan at the very team Liverpool face, the irony isn't lost on anyone connected with the club. The young midfielder has found himself virtually a spectator during his season-long spell at Villa.

Mamardashvili's return to action last weekend, having recovered from a nasty wound, at least gives Liverpool options in goal should Alisson fail to make it. But losing both your first-choice goalkeeper and leading scorer for such a crucial fixture would test any manager's tactical flexibility.

The timing of these fitness concerns couldn't be worse. Liverpool need every available body for what promises to be a ferocious battle in the Midlands. Slot's morning press conference will provide the clearest picture yet of just how depleted his squad might be when it matters most.

Friday night at Villa Park will define Liverpool's season, and they might have to do it with a squad running on empty.