Conor Bradley faces about three weeks out with a muscle injury from international duty with Northern Ireland, while Florian Wirtz's issue with Germany should clear up sooner. This leaves Slot short at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong also sidelined, so versatile Dominik Szoboszlai might shift there again. The bright spot is Alisson Becker training well and ready to reclaim his spot in goal, bringing stability back to the defense. Slot called the absences far from ideal amid a packed schedule, but dismissed urgent January buys at center-back.
