Joe Gomez’s Availability for Liverpool vs. PSV Clouded by Knee Injury
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Liverpool supporters await Wednesday’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven with cautious optimism, as key defender Joe Gomez is confirmed to be in the squad but his starting position remains uncertain due to a recent knee injury. The situation highlights a broader defensive challenge for the team as they navigate a difficult stretch of form.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed during a pre-match press conference that Gomez received a painkilling injection last week to ensure his availability, raising questions about his overall fitness. “He’s one of the five defenders we have, so that’s true,” Slot told reporters when asked about Gomez’s potential to start. “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!”
Defensive Concerns Mount for Liverpool
The need for the injection underscores that Gomez is not currently at peak condition. According to Slot, the decision to play Gomez may depend on factors beyond the manager’s tactical preferences. “Apart from maybe me making the decision to play Dom or someone else, this is also to do with him not being completely fit,” he explained. The defender was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, further complicating the picture.
With Gomez’s status in doubt, Slot may be forced to consider alternative options at right-back. Potential replacements include Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones. However, deploying either player in that position would have ripple effects throughout the lineup, particularly given the unavailability of Florian Wirtz, as well as natural right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
A Wider Crisis of Form
The defensive uncertainty arrives at a critical juncture for Liverpool, who are currently experiencing a significant downturn in performance. The team has suffered eight defeats in their last 11 games, placing immense pressure on Slot to find solutions. The hope is that Gomez can start, allowing Szoboszlai to return to his preferred No. 10 role, where his impact is demonstrably greater than when deployed as a full-back.
A 20-man outfield squad participated in training at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, but only 18 players will be eligible for selection against PSV. Full-backs Calvin Ramsay and James Norris were included in the training session despite being ineligible for the Champions League List B. Forward Kaide Gordon is also available, pending registration.
The situation demands a swift and effective response from Liverpool as they aim to regain their competitive edge and navigate a challenging period both on and off the pitch.
