Arne Slot has provided an update on the condition of Joe Gomez after he was forced off injured in the defeat at Bournemouth
Arne Slot believes the delay in substituting Joe Gomez didn't lead to the concession of a goal
Arne Slot believes the delay in substituting Joe Gomez didn't lead to the concession of a goal(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
View Image
Arne Slot is sweating on the fitness of Joe Gomez after the Liverpool defender suffered another injury setback during the dramatic defeat at Bournemouth. But the Reds boss has played down suggestions the delay in substituting the centre-back cost his team a goal in their 3-2 Premier League loss on Saturday evening.
Gomez was unable to continue after suffering a heavy blow to the body from team-mate Alisson Becker as the duo attempted to prevent Evanilson putting Bournemouth ahead midway through the first half.
The 28-year-old, who has started Liverpool's last two games with Ibrahima Konate absent on compassionate leave following the death of his father, is now a doubt for the final Champions League opening stage match at home to Qarabag on Wednesday.
And of Gomez's injury, Slot said: “Joe got a knock from Ali, his knee went somewhere over here (points to his side and stomach).
“I think it was bone on bone and you could see he was just not able to continue. Ali had swelling in his knee.
“I don’t know if Joe is going to train in two or three days, that’s difficult for me to say. But it was clear he couldn’t go on today.”
Gomez initially tried to play on before walking off the pitch, leaving Liverpool down to 10 men for an extended period during which Alejandro Jimenez scored Bournemouth’s second goal.
And Slot said: “I tried to scream towards them to put the ball out of play. Actually we were quite comfortable and kept the ball for quite a long time. Then when we lost it, it was the opposite and Bournemouth kept it and maybe that is a bit easier when you are playing against 10.
“But even if we were down to 10 men, the way we conceded that goal was not specifically because we were down to 10 men.
“It was because a winger has surprised our full-back in a situation where we could have done better.
“But of course if we had 11 the player that had the assist couldn’t have gone as far as he could now.”