Liverpool: a string of injuries hits the Reds ahead of the showdown with Manchester City.
Liverpool face Manchester City this weekend in the top-of-the-table clash on the Premier League’s 25th matchday. A headache for manager Arne Slot, who will have to cope with a squad decimated by injuries.
A few days before the top clash against Manchester City, Liverpool find themselves in a delicate situation. Manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday that his squad would be seriously depleted for this crucial Premier League trip, with up to five potential absences.
The Dutch manager sent a chill by announcing that players currently in treatment could run out of time to regain optimal fitness ahead of the Etihad Stadium showdown. News that darkens the Reds’ hopes.
Among the uncertainties, Joe Gomez offers a glimmer of hope. The versatile defender, injured against Bournemouth almost two weeks ago, has still not returned to full training. “Joe could train on Saturday,” Slot said, while tempering expectations. “He won’t be starting, but he could come on if needed, because we are short of defenders at the moment.” A stopgap solution, but not a guarantee.
For others, the verdict is plain. Jeremie Frimpong’s week is already over. “Jeremie won’t train this week, so he won’t play this weekend,” the coach said categorically, depriving his team of one of its major attacking assets.
The long-term injury list remains unchanged and worrying. Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are still unavailable. The absence of the young full-back Bradley and the striker Isak deprives Liverpool of valuable options in both areas. Against City’s machine, Arne Slot will have to show ingenuity to compensate for these gaps. The clash of the titans already promises, for the Reds, to be a test of depth.
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