Selection calls leading to sleepless nights for Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is being kept awake by the challenge of managing his busy squad's workload.

The Premier League champions have only been able to name a maximum of four senior players on the bench for the last five matches as they cope with a quartet of long-term injuries.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is back from suspension but Slot may well be without Wataru Endo for the rest of the season after he suffered a serious ankle injury in Wednesday's league win at Sunderland.

Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to top-flight rivals Brighton represents Liverpool's third game in a week.

"It's another challenge," said Slot at his eve of match press conference.

"It took me a long time to get to sleep (last night) because I was constantly considering what options I have for the line-up and what I should do.

"Do you play the same players again or is it a moment for the others, but which others in which position? I need another 24 hours to decide on my line-up."

Slot has a particular problem at centre-back, where skipper Virgil van Dijk has borne the main burden owing to lack of options.

The Netherlands captain, who has played every minute in the Premier League and Champions League, has scored twice in his last five matches -- including the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Sunderland.

"Vital of course because if he is not playing there are no options left (at centre-back)," Slot said of Van Dijk's importance to Liverpool.

"He has been fit every time and I've said before how big of an accomplishment that is for a player of his age because he's not the youngest any more and plays every three days.

"It tells you what he does off the pitch for recovery but also his mental strength that he is not only able to stay with the team but also brings in very good performances and lead the team on and off the pitch by example."