Joe Gomez has failed to feature for Liverpool in their last two games despite being among the substitutes and Arne Slot being without a recognised right-back
Joe Gomez has been used sparingly by Arne Slot
Joe Gomez has been used sparingly by Arne Slot(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Arne Slot has explained why Joe Gomez has continued to remain on the bench despite Liverpool's ongoing issues at right-back. And the Reds boss is hopeful Florian Wirtz could be in contention for Sunday's crucial Premier League trip to West Ham United.
Liverpool are suffering a selection crisis on the right side of defence with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined for a significant period due to hamstring injuries.
Despite Gomez being in the matchday squad, he was an unused substitute in the last two matches with Dominik Szoboszlai starting at right-back for last weekend's 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest and Curtis Jones filling the breach in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League loss against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
And while insistent Gomez could start at the London Stadium on Sunday, Slot has detailed why concerns over Ibrahima Konate's fitness prompted him not to use the England international in midweek.
"He could have been involved yesterday in terms of minutes but when we are 2-1 down or 3-1 I tend to make offensive substitutions," said Slot, speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon.
"For him to start is also definitely a possibility but Konate didn’t train two days before the game, he was a bit of a liability. If you don't have that many defenders to start with, (starting) two players who maybe might not be able to play the whole 90 that is kind of a risk as well.
"I decided to keep him there if Ibou was injured and not to have to make two substitutions as we'd have probably ended up with only one or two defenders."
Alisson Becker missed the PSV game through illness but is expected to be back for West Ham, while Wirtz, who sat out the last two games with a muscle problem, and Hugo Ekitike, forced off on Wednesday with a back spasm, haven't been ruled out.
"Ali trained again with the team today so we hope and expect him to be available at the weekend," said Slot.
"Florian will have his final day of rehab tomorrow so if that all goes well he could train with the team on Saturday.
"Hugo, today was recovery but they don’t expect it will be a big issue, but games come fast so let’s see for the weekend. It shouldn't have to be a big issue."
As well as Gomez, the likes of Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson and teenager Rio Ngumoha are all pushing for minutes.
And when asked about changing his line-up, Slot added: "You consider everything. Until now I have decided differently but they train with us every single day and they can prove themselves in those moments.
"It is always a balance. If you don’t change people think you should change more and there was a period this season where we lost and I made a few changes and people complained I changed too much and there was never any time the same team.
"Of course, I consider (changes) but I can't tell you what the end product of that consideration is for Sunday."