Liverpool's injury list continues to dominate headlines as the Reds look to finish the season in strong fashion. Arne Slot's men are paying the price for a costly autumn period, and a number of squad setbacks promise to unravel much of the club's recent good work.

Slot's side head into Sunday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest missing a number of key names. Liverpool have made the most of the resources on hand to win four of their last five games despite the setbacks, but the squad is entering the most testing portion of the campaign as fatigue sets in.

The Reds are still in the running to clinch a couple of trophies this term, assuming the Premier League crown is out of reach. Champions League and FA Cup honours remain on the line, though certain absences will drastically affect selection in the weeks to come.

With that in mind, the club have been particularly rocked by the latest piece of fitness news. And Mirror Football dissects the latest happenings around Anfield as the club looks resume its Premier League ascent.

• Liverpool told Dominik Szoboszlai's private feelings after agent's Real Madrid update

• Virgil van Dijk 'really gutted' as significant Liverpool injury blow confirmed

Van Dijk backs Szoboszlai for captaincy

Dominik Szoboszlai is looking like a shoo-in to be named Liverpool's Player of the Season after climbing to new heights at Anfield this term. And with more strings added to his bow, the Hungarian has been backed to one day take over the armband.

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Calls for 'Szobosz' to inherit the captaincy have been gathering pace this season. The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals and laid on seven assists in 35 outings this term, which is all the more impressive given he's been moved between central midfield, right-back, right wing and other responsibilities.

Szoboszlai has even earned comparisons to club icon Steven Gerrard as a result of his purple patch. And incumbent captain Van Dijk paid his team-mate major praise by giving his own seal of approval to one day take over the armband.

"Obviously he has been very good," said the Dutchman. "Also a player who I think can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team.

"It starts by leading by example and that's something he has done so far this season. But also everything around it; there is still progress to be made, and that's a good thing in my opinion, so hopefully he will be very important for the years to come at Liverpool."

Van Dijk, who has a contract at Anfield until 2027, stopped short of annointing his team-mate for the role right now given he still enjoys his own place of seniority. However, such high praise from the current skipper further illustrates the level of respect Szoboszlai commands within the squad.

Endo injury news "gutting" for Liverpool

Liverpool were recently rocked by news that Wataru Endo could miss the rest of the season following his injury in the 1-0 win at Sunderland. The Japan international got his foot awkwardly caught in the turf while attempting a clearance, all the more agonising given it was his first league start of the season.

Endo, 33, hasn't been able to crack a place in Slot's midfield but helped the team out by filling in as a makeshift right-back. Usual picks Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are already on the treatment table, while Joe Gomez has been in and out with injuries for months.

Van Dijk expressed just how "gutted" the rest of the squad was upon learning the extent of Endo's injury. However, the skipper put on a show of unity in light of the setback and highlighted Endo as an important figure despite his lack of prominence.

"It's a shame, we were all really gutted after the [Sunderland] game," said Van Dijk. "I had a similar injury when I was at Southampton, a foot injury, and it's not an easy one to take.

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"But we are here for him, we are going to be together with him all the way and support him with everything he needs. It's not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he's one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well.

"On the pitch he gives everything and you saw that in the game. It's a big blow but we have to deal with it and we will. Hopefully it's not going to take too long but it looks like it will be a while."