Liverpool handed fresh injury headache as Arne Slot confirms Florian Wirtz blow ahead of Fulham clash | OneFootball

Reds expecting one defensive returnee as German ruled out

Arne Slot’s injury headache will abate slightly ahead of Liverpool’s trip to face Fulham as Joe Gomez is due to rejoin first-team training, though concern remains around the fitness of Florian Wirtz.

The Reds have been saddled with injuries throughout this campaign, with big-money summer signings Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Wirtz all spending time on the sidelines.

Defence has been the area hit heaviest, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate playing nearly constantly after injuries to Gomez and 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni.

Gomez went down off the ball against Brighton on December 13 and has not featured since, but Slot is now prepared to welcome him back into the fold.

“I expect Joe to train with us tomorrow (Friday),” he said.

It remains to be seen whether Gomez will be fit enough to play a role on Sunday, though. The same is true of Wirtz, who was withdrawn early in the second half against Leeds.

Slot continued, explaining the German was carrying a light hamstring injury.

“Florian only trained once this week because two days after the game, he felt his hamstring still a bit,” the Dutchman explained.

It is not yet clear whether he will be able to face Fulham, though Cody Gakpo’s return to fitness at least provides Slot another option on the left flank.