Arne Slot issues new Liverpool injury update amid right-back crisis

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Evening Standard

·10 February 2026

Arne Slot issues new Liverpool injury update amid right-back crisis

Reds may be without both first-choice right-backs and two reliable deputies for Sunderland clash

Arne Slot played coy when asked who would play at right-back for Liverpool as they visit Sunderland on Wednesday.

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Slot is facing a selection crisis at right-back with Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and usual stand-in Joe Gomez all sidelined.

Hungary international Dominik Szoboszlai, a natural midfielder, had been filling in but is now unavailable himself after being sent off in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City.

Questions have been raised as to who will take the place as Liverpool visit Wearside this week, but asked about his plans pre-match, Slot gave little away, only confirming that Gomez would return to training on Tuesday.

“Joe hasn't trained with us yet. I'm expecting him today for the first time,” he explained.

“Indeed, if Joe is not ready to start then we are missing four players who have played right-back. Curtis (Jones) and [Wataru Endo] played in this position so we have had six different right full-backs.”

Suspended: Dominik Szoboszlai

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Of Szoboslai’s suspension, he added: “My feelings haven't changed. The moment I saw the red card was disappointed not to have him against Sunderland but the referee did what he had to do. Not what we like if you love football but it's the rules.”

The Dutchman also played down the possibility of youngster Calvin Ramsey stepping up: “I've chosen other players until now and that's also what I'm going to do tomorrow.”

Slot that while he is reluctant to put Liverpool’s struggles this season down to luck, their injury record is difficult to overlook.

That record grew worse still last week as Jeremy Jacquet, who will join the Reds in the summer, suffered a serious shoulder injury.

“It feels like [bad luck], that is for sure,” he said. “Even if we sign a player and he's not even playing for us (Jacquet), he gets injured.

“But the moment you think it's just bad luck then it comes to you as well. So we need to keep away from that and focus on improving performances.

“I can definitely say we haven't been lucky, that is true. But is it bad luck or who we are? We will find out over rest of season.”