Arne Slot explains Joe Gomez snub despite Liverpool’s awful form | OneFootball

Slot, Gomez and Konate: A defensive puzzle shaping Liverpool’s season

Liverpool’s ongoing struggle to establish defensive consistency took another turn this week as Arne Slot offered a detailed explanation of Joe Gomez’s reduced involvement against PSV. His comments not only clarified selection decisions on the night but also raised wider questions about squad hierarchy as Liverpool move into a crucial stretch of the campaign.

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Slot’s reasoning behind Gomez and Konate decisions

The head coach outlined that Gomez was available but not deemed suitable for use when Liverpool were chasing the game. Slot explained: “He could have been involved yesterday as well in terms of minutes… but when we are 2-1 down or 3-1 down I tend to make offensive substitutions.”

The conversation then turned towards Ibrahima Konate, whose preparation had been far from ideal. Slot revealed that the French defender had “not trained two days before the game” and that he was “a bit of a liability two days before”, emphasising the medical and performance risks involved. With both players carrying varying concerns, Slot was unwilling to expose the team to further instability.

As he put it: “I decided to keep him there for if Ibou was injured and not to have to make two substitutions because then probably would have ended up with one or two defenders.”

That calculation – part practical necessity, part risk management – illustrates the fine margins Liverpool are operating within at the back.

Gomez conundrum grows amid dwindling minutes

The situation reinforces a pattern that has been developing quietly but persistently. Slot had already confirmed that Gomez received an injection in his knee and was “not able to train every single day last week”, a fitness issue that came to light when Dominik Szoboszlai was used in an emergency right-back role.

This aligns with wider observations about the defender’s limited usage this season. He has featured for just 43 Premier League minutes, a striking statistic given Liverpool’s injuries across the defensive line.

The question now gaining traction is whether Gomez is viewed as a reliable solution or simply a last-resort option. With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong unavailable and Calvin Ramsay still not judged ready for regular involvement, the expectation might have been a more prominent role for the 28-year-old. Instead, he continues to function as cover rather than a trusted starter.

Selection pressure increases ahead of West Ham

The defeat to PSV has sharpened scrutiny on every defensive decision. Konate’s uncertain form, Virgil van Dijk’s costly penalty concession and the reliance on improvised full-back solutions all contributed to a performance that exposed Liverpool’s vulnerabilities.

Gomez, who has played right back at various stages of his Liverpool career, remains on the fringes even when the position requires reinforcement. As Slot prepares his side for West Ham on Sunday, the dilemma becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.

Will the long-serving defender finally be handed a meaningful opportunity, or does the tone of Slot’s press briefing suggest that he has slipped further down the depth chart than at any previous point?

With Liverpool attempting to regain momentum, how the head coach navigates decisions around Gomez, Konate and the broader defensive structure may prove influential in determining the direction of the season.