Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media during a press conference at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media during a press conference at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool prepare to face Qarabag in the Champions League at Anfield.
Arne Slot insists that he expects Andy Robertson to remain at Liverpool for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool and Spurs were in talks over a £5 million package for Robertson, who has won eight major trophies - including two Premier League titles and the Champions League - since his arrival from Hull City in 2017.
However, the Reds are reluctant to part ways with Robertson given their depleted defence options. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Qarabag in the Champions League, head coach Slot said: "He is part of the team tomorrow and has been part of this squad for so many years. I'm happy to have him and it's good that he's available. It's hard to say anything definite in this world we are in, but I expect him to stay.”
Meanwhile, Slot admits that he is finding it difficult to ensure his depleted Liverpool squad suffer no more injuries. The Reds head into the Qarabag encounter with eight members of their squad unavailable. Joe Gomez (hip) was forced off in last Saturday’s 3-2 loss at AFC Bournemouth, while Ibrahima Konate remains on compassionate leave following the passing of his father. Alexander Isak continues his recovery from a broken leg while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni will not play again this term because of respective knee injuries.
Calvin Ramsay cannot play in the Champions League as he’s not been named in Liverpool’s UEFA squad. Neither has Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) while Jayden Danns continues his recovery from a hamstring complaint.
Given that Slot’s squad is stretched, it means that those who are fit are more vulnerable to picking up injuries. The likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong (both hamstring) and Wataru Endo (ankle) have recently returned from respective fitness problems.
Asked how difficult it is to find a balance, Slot said: “Yeah, very hard. Especially with the problems we are having with the long-term injuries. Because if I would have started Alexander Isak and given Hugo a rest, then I don't think any fan would have complained. But now I have to adapt with the system or I have to adapt with players in different positions.
“Taking Jeremie off, I don't think anyone would have complained if I could have brought the same type of player in that could do a similar job. But now I have ended up the game with four defenders, at least they were playing in right full-back, centre-back, centre-back, left full-back. And only two of them were real defenders. That doesn't help, of course, with the narrative that I am completely aware of.
“But what would even be worse, and that has also happened this season. Conor Bradley was a great example of that. If I gave him two games in a row with a player that wasn't used to that, he got injured and was out for a few weeks again. So that is a difficult balance. And I am not always before people say, don't listen to performance staff or medical staff.
“I am listening and sometimes I make my own decisions. There has been a player that was on the pitch and made a goal in the end of the game where it probably would have been better to take him off earlier. So it is not always that you listen to that, but you use your eye, you see Jeremie Frimpong.
“You see when he makes an action, just before I took him off, it wasn't the same as we are used to him. I speak to my players, I know from them how they feel and if they are ready to go again 90 minutes. So that you all take into account and then you make a line-up and you decide on your substitutions. But that doesn't always, for people who don't have all the information, that could lead to scrutiny.
“I am completely aware of that fact and that is normal. If you are not aware of all the information, then it is not so strange that you criticise some decisions. But I think if people would know the struggles we are facing, they would be more understandable with the decisions I make. But I am not asking for anyone to be... but it is the situation we are in.”
Meanwhile, Frimpong was also on pre-match media duties, which suggests that he will start. He is Liverpool’s only recognised right-back with Gomez and Bradley on the treatment table. Slot also gave credit to Virgil van Dijk remaining fit despite playing every game, meaning the Anfield captain will not be given a rest.
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