A look at how Liverpool could line up when they travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday
Florian Wirtz during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Leeds United.
Florian Wirtz during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Leeds United.
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(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
If the options are a bit more stretched than Arne Slot would like right now, the Liverpool boss will be pleased to welcome Joe Gomez back into the fold for the trip to Fulham on Sunday.
Gomez had been in good form at right-back before pulling up with a muscle issue in the recent victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. The versatile and long-serving defender has provided some much-needed stability at right-back at a time when Conor Bradley was in and out the team due to fitness issues, Jeremie Frimpong was still sidelined and Dominik Szoboszlai was being tasked with 'doing a job' in the position.
Gomez's instincts as a central defender were also helpful to an embattled Ibrahima Konate at the start of December as the Reds embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run that has steadied the ship while still leaving many questions over their attacking credentials.
After Slot confirmed Gomez was due to return to training on Friday, the defender could be in contention for a recall but Bradley is likely to keep his place. Frimpong, who has been a positive in the last fortnight or so, is also vying for a start at right full-back. Slot, in a drastic change from recent months, now has options aplenty in that position.
The same goes for the left side where Milos Kerkez will once more contest Andy Robertson for a place in the team. The latter started that bore draw with Leeds but Kerkez may be recalled for this one at Craven Cottage. Konate will continue his partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk.
In midfield, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are pushing to start once more but does Alexis Mac Allister return? The 2022 World Cup winner was a second-half substitute against Leeds and hasn't hit the heights of last term so far at the halfway mark.
He is not alone in that regard but if Szoboszlai is to be deployed in the wide right position, as has become customary in recent weeks, then Mac Allister should be in line for a return. A lot depends on where Frimpong is positioned.
The big issue is what Slot does with Florian Wirtz. The Germany international had a more than decent December, which included the decisive contribution to earn an equaliser in the draw with Sunderland and the winning goal against Wolves. But Slot confirmed on Thursday night after the goalless affair with Leeds that there was some concern over a potential hamstring issue. It's a delicate balancing act.
"Florian only trained once this week because two days after the game, he felt his hamstring still a bit," Slot said. "You try to be as careful as you can without ruining your chances of winning the game as much as you can with the schedule coming up because missing out on another one would be an even bigger problem if that's going to take five, six or seven weeks or longer."
If it is decided that Wirtz shouldn't be risked then Cody Gakpo is the ready-made replacement on the left side but whoever occupies that space, Hugo Ekitike needs more help on the goalscoring front. The France international drew a blank against Leeds and saw none of his colleagues step up to alleviate the pressure.
At a time when Mohamed Salah is in the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak is recovering from a broken leg, Slot needs all the match-winners he can get right now. A return to prominence for Gakpo would be ideally timed in west London.