With Liverpool’s injuries mounting, Arne Slot has welcomed a return to a game-a-week schedule this month, admitting he is “almost happy that we’re out of the League Cup.”
They may not be words any Liverpool supporter wants to hear from the manager, but that appears to be the reality of Slot’s situation.
“I think it’s helpful that in the upcoming weeks that we don’t play as many games as we did until now,” he told reporters on Friday.
“I wonder if there have been more teams that have played three games in seven days this season, and I think we’ve had to do it three times already.
“What can I say about this? I’m almost happy that we’re out of the League Cup.
“Because if we had to play with the 13 outfield players available with any Premier League experience – because we have more available of course – and we have to go to Arsenal away on Tuesday again after so many games played…
Liverpool’s December fixtures
• Brighton (H) – Saturday, December 13, 3pm
• Tottenham (A) – Saturday, December 20, 5.30pm
• Wolves (H) – Saturday, December 27, 3pm
“Maybe people can understand a little bit better why I made that lineup against Palace – which wasn’t good for me, but it was another decision I’ve made for the team.
“Losing a game of football is never a good idea and that is what happened when we were not in the best run of form.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Liverpool's Wataru Endo reacts to conceeding the third goal during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But sometimes players need rest as well, so look at Dominik, Virgil, Ibou, Ryan. They’ve played so many minutes because other ones weren’t available.
“So it’s good for them we go now to a run of games where there’s one week rest in between.
“And players will come back from injuries; when they are back from injury there is more to choose from as well.”
Arne Slot: Which Liverpool players need rest
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Joe Gomez form a huddle during the UEFA Champions League game between Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool will therefore not only focus on training but also recovery, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch to rest having all clocked, along with Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah, over 1,500 minutes on the pitch already.
But with longer periods between games it also provides Slot and his staff with an opportunity for prepare more for specific games.
“That’s definitely beneficial, because training time helps to get connections going – although playing time helps with this as well,” he explained on Liverpool’s reduced schedule.
“It’s also safe to say that some of these players have played so, so, so, so many minutes that I don’t think my performance staff will tell me: ‘OK let’s go out in the upcoming two weeks and train twice a day’.
“I don’t think that’s what they’re going to advise me.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 8, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Mohamed Salah during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
“So there’s more time to prepare for a game, because that is also the difference between us and Brighton; I think they’ve had five or six days to come up with a game plan, train this, optimise their game plan.
“It’s the first time after the Inter game we have a session today, but playing in Europe is the last thing you should complain about, because this is what we want.
“But it is the reality for us in the last months, indeed.”
Liverpool are currently without Cody Gakpo (muscle), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) along with long-term absentees Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Jayden Danns (hamstring) and Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring).
Alexander Isak could be a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Brighton due to a knock, while Conor Bradley is suspended.