The latest Liverpool team news from head coach Arne Slot ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with PSV at Anfield
Arne Slot speaks at the Liverpool press conference at Anfield to preview the Champions League clash with PSV(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot admits he faces a major headache in Liverpool’s defence with Joe Gomez struggling for full fitness. Gomez, who has played a full 90 minutes only twice in almost 11 months, failed to take full part in a number of training sessions last week having had a painkilling injection in his knee.
The 28-year-old was named in the squad for the 3-0 Premier League defeat at home to Nottingham Forest but failed to emerge from the bench despite regular right-back options Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong both being out injured.
The duo remain sidelined for Wednesday’s Champions League visit of PSV Eindhoven, with Slot’s selection further compromised by Gomez also being the only recognised centre-back alternative to off-form Ibrahima Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk following the season-ending ACL damage suffered by teenager Giovanni Leoni in September.
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And while Gomez was part of the squad that took part in training on Tuesday at the AXA Training Centre, Slot has hinted the England international won’t be able to start.
“He is one of the five defenders we have (available),” said the Liverpool boss. “Normally I wouldn’t go into detail maybe that much but he had an injection last week on his knee.
“So, that means that’s normally not because you don’t feel anything.
“Apart from maybe me making the decision to play Dom (Szoboszlai) or someone else in that position, this is also to do with him not being completely fit.
“Although, he is in the group tomorrow, as he was on Saturday. But (Gomez) wasn’t able to train last week every single time.”
Szoboszlai started at right-back against Forest but Slot has indicated the Hungary international could be restored to his preferred central midfield role with Florian Wirtz still out.
“He is one of the options I have (at right-back) but also it is clear Dom is good in other areas of the pitch,” said the Reds head coach. “I was expecting we’d have a lot of ball possession against Forest so he could attack a lot down the right.
“Let’s see where we use him tomorrow, but I am going to use him, that’s for sure.”
Curtis Jones, who was in midfield at the weekend, could switch to right-back, while Hugo Ekitike is pressing for a recall up front in place of Alexander Isak.