Arne Slot is uncertain over the prognosis of Joe Gomez after he was forced off against Bournemouth, with Alisson also suffering adverse effects from the collision.
Liverpool did not just receive the blow of conceding the opening goal at Bournemouth, but also another injury for Gomez after his desperation saw him collide with Alisson.
He sought to continue but could not move freely after knee-on-knee contact, with Slot turning to Wataru Endo in his place, although not until after a second goal had been conceded.
With Liverpool already short in defence, there was obvious interest in the early prognosis of Gomez’s issue, but Slot is uncertain over whether he can return to training early in the week.
“Joe got a knock from Ali, it was bone on bone,” Slot said of Gomez’s injury. “You could see he was just not able to continue.”
He then added: “I don’t know if Joe is going to train in two or three days, that is difficult for me to say. But it was clear that he could not go on.”
There was also some doubt cast on Alisson after Slot revealed the goalkeeper “had some swelling in his knee,” although he did see out the full 90 minutes.
Arne Slot avoids question on defensive reinforcements
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez lies injured after clashing with goalkeeper Alisson Becker (R) whilst conceeding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There is no definitive timeline on Ibrahima Konate‘s return, nor should there be as he grieves, but Liverpool are growing increasingly short of options in defence.
Andy Robertson is linked with a transfer to Tottenham, though Slot did not entertain that line of questioning, and any issue for Gomez and/or Alisson would ask more of an already stretched squad.
When asked if there was any chance of bringing in a defender before the end of the January window, Slot batted the question away with one of his own, saying, “Are we now short? That’s your opinion.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) speaks to referee Michael Salisbury after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. The game finished 2-3.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have seen target Marc Guehi sign for Man City but look committed to sticking with what they have, with Kostas Tsimikas‘ return the only likely addition before the deadline.
It is at odds with Slot’s assessment of his squad, as while he only has three long-term injuries, his options were limited at Bournemouth, albeit that it also comes down to his trust.
“It is safe to say a few players of ours ran out of energy,” Slot said after the defeat. “I cannot even criticise them for that because two days ago we had to play an away game in Europe.”
He explained: “I mainly played the same players because of the players we have available.”