Joe Gomez will be in the Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s clash with PSV Eindhoven, but Arne Slot has hinted he is not a guaranteed starter after an injection in his knee.
Gomez had been expected to start against Eredivisie leaders PSV on Wednesday night, but the 28-year-old is not certain to do so.
That comes with Slot revealing in his pre-match press conference that Liverpool’s No. 2 required a painkilling injection to ensure his availability last week.
Joe Gomez fitness update; Arne Slot cryptic on PSV role
“He’s one of the five defenders we have, so that’s true,” he told reporters when asked if Gomez could 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!
“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.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
If Gomez is not ready to start, having gone unused in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Slot could choose between either Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones at right-back.
That would clearly have a knock-on effect with Florian Wirtz already unavailable along with natural right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
But it is an issue Slot is forced to contend with, along with the obvious struggles of a side on a run of eight defeats in 11 games.
Liverpool need to find a solution at right-back
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Joe Gomez warms-up during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The hope will be that Gomez can start, allowing Szoboszlai to fill in for Wirtz in the No. 10 role, with the Hungarian clearly held back when he is deployed as a right-back.
A 20-man outfield squad were put through their paces at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon but only 18 of those will be eligible against PSV.
That comes with full-backs Calvin Ramsay and James Norris drafted into the training squad despite being too old to be added to List B in the Champions League.
Forwared Kaide Gordon is, however, available if registered in time, having also joined the open session.