Arne Slot confirms fresh injury concern ahead of Liverpool vs PSV | OneFootball

Liverpool Facing Fresh Questions Over Joe Gomez Fitness Under Arne Slot

Liverpool enter Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven trying to manage both form and fitness, with particular focus on Joe Gomez. The versatile defender is included in the travelling squad, although Arne Slot was noticeably circumspect when pressed on whether the 28-year-old would start.

Slot confirmed that Liverpool’s No. 2 recently underwent a painkilling injection in his knee, which is a major concern given his injury record. “He’s one of the five defenders we have, so that’s true,” Slot said when asked about Gomez’s chances of starting. “Normally I wouldn’t go into detail that much, but he had an injection last week in his knee. That’s normally not because you don’t feel anything! Apart from maybe me making the decision to play Dom or someone else, this is also to do with him not being completely fit. Although he’s in the group tomorrow as he was on Saturday, he wasn’t able to train last week every single time.”

Those remarks offered a rare glimpse into Slot’s guarded injury management style, while also hinting at Liverpool’s growing dependence on Gomez during a bruising autumn schedule.

Photo: IMAGO

Tactical Repercussions for Arne Slot

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest underlined Liverpool’s fragility across several areas, yet right-back remains the most pressing dilemma. Gomez did not feature in that match and, should he be deemed short of full fitness again, Slot might be forced into improvisation.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have both been trialled in defensive wide roles and may be required once more. The knock-on effect is significant because Florian Wirtz is already sidelined, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong remain out, and Szoboszlai is far more influential when occupying central creative zones. Asking him to drop deeper again would feel like a tactical compromise in a game Liverpool cannot afford to mismanage.

Defensive Depth Tested During Difficult Run

The current spell, eight defeats in 11 matches, has placed Liverpool under scrutiny and has highlighted the fine margins in Squad planning. The absence of specialised right-backs has increased the load on Gomez and has magnified the consequences of any fitness setback.

A 20 man outfield group trained at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, although only 18 will be eligible for Champions League selection. Calvin Ramsay and James Norris were brought into the session but cannot be registered for List B due to age restrictions. Forward Kaide Gordon is eligible if paperwork is completed in time, adding at least one flexible option to a squad that needs as many solutions as possible.

Hope for Stability Through Joe Gomez

Liverpool supporters will hope that Gomez can take his place in the starting lineup, easing the pressure on Szoboszlai and allowing Slot to restore balance to the structure. Early signs from training suggest he is moving freely enough, although Slot’s comments emphasise caution. With Liverpool chasing rhythm and confidence after a punishing sequence of results, even small boosts in stability matter.