Cody Gakpo‘s return from injury over the weekend means Liverpool’s list of absences for the upcoming visit of Leeds has reduced back down to seven.The Dutchman came off the bench against Wolves to end a three-game injury absence, adding another option to Arne Slot‘s forward line.His return is a timely one, even with debate over his role in the side, as the Reds get set to face nine games in 31 days across three different competitions.Conor Bradley‘s role off the bench after a knock at Tottenham was also a boost as Jeremie Frimpong will also need to be managed, as he is still early in his return from a hamstring injury.As it stands, though, this is Liverpool’s current list of absentees:• Mo Salah (AFCON)• Joe Gomez (hamstring)• Wataru Endo (ankle)• Alexander Isak (broken leg)• Giovanni Leoni (ACL)• Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring)• Jayden Danns (hamstring)Leoni and Isak are both suffering from long-term injuries, while Salah will be back in January once his Africa Cup of Nations campaign concludes with Egypt.If he made it to the final, he would return after January 18.Endo is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-January following an ankle injury sustained at Leeds earlier this month, but his return does not promise minutes after only 223 to date.Gomez is out with a hamstring injury and Liverpool will not rush his return after a history of soft tissue issues, but how soon after the new year he returns remains to be seen.This Is Anfield understands Danns is back working on the grass and is due to make a full comeback in the coming weeks after a serious hamstring injury sustained in September.Barnsley’s visit in the FA Cup on January 12, on paper, would have been the ideal return fixture, but that will likely come too soon after more than three months on the sidelines.Bajcetic, meanwhile, is readily spotted working in the gym at the AXA as Liverpool take a patient approach with his recovery after hamstring surgery in May.Slot has been feeling the effects of a small squad in recent weeks but stands to welcome back a number of players in the coming month, though he will hope he doesn’t lose more in the meantime.In the 26 games across all competitions so far, Liverpool have been without 16 different players due to either injury, suspension, illness or international obligations.Only Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez have not been forced to miss a game so far.