Liverpool face a potential selection headache ahead of their UEFA Champions League encounter against Villarreal on Tuesday, with as many as eight players either sidelined, doubtful or unavailable for the European fixture.

The Reds will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the competition when they welcome the Spanish side. However, their preparations have been disrupted by fresh injury concerns, adding to an already lengthy list of absentees.

Liverpool’s latest setbacks came during their Premier League victory over Brentford on Saturday, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong both forced off after picking up injuries.

Szoboszlai has reportedly aggravated an existing hamstring problem and is expected to miss several matches. Frimpong, meanwhile, is dealing with a muscle injury and is not anticipated to return until after the November international break.

There is also uncertainty surrounding Victor Munoz, who missed Monday’s training session after sustaining a knock during the weekend fixture. The forward was able to continue playing against Brentford and even scored the equaliser, but his availability for the Villarreal game remains a concern.

The Merseyside club are also dealing with three significant long-term injury cases, with Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni continuing their respective recoveries.

Ekitike faces a difficult road back after suffering a serious Achilles injury in early April, with a return before the end of the calendar year looking uncertain.

Bradley is also unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from major knee damage sustained against Arsenal in early January. The right-back’s absence leaves Liverpool without another option in defence.

Leoni, meanwhile, is gradually moving closer to a return to first-team training after being sidelined since September last year with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, he is not expected to be back until around the November international break.

Apart from their injury concerns, Liverpool will also be unable to call upon Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa for the Villarreal encounter.

Neither player was included in the club’s Champions League squad for the league phase, meaning they are ineligible to feature in Tuesday’s fixture.

With several players unavailable and others facing late fitness assessments, Liverpool could be forced to reshuffle their options as they prepare for a crucial European test.

Despite the growing list of absentees, the Reds will be determined to maintain their winning momentum and continue their strong start to the Champions League campaign against Villarreal.