Arne Slot has faced the press ahead of Liverpool's crunch Anfield clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon
Joe Gomez of Liverpool goes off injured during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool
Joe Gomez of Liverpool goes off injured during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Liverpool will once again have a defensive conundrum to solve when they face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, with full-back Jeremie Frimpong still ruled out.
The Reds were forced to deploy midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai as an emergency right-back against Newcastle United last Saturday and it could be a similar situation on Sunday, after Arne Slot confirmed that Dutch international Frimpong is yet to return to the training pitch.
The Liverpool boss did, however, offer some encouragement on the fitness of versatile defender Joe Gomez.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, Slot said: "Jeremie will definitely not train this week, so he's not available the weekend.
"With Joe, we have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday, so not available to start but maybe able to help the team, if needed, during the game, because as you know, there's not that many defenders available at the moment."
Liverpool are eight points behind Pep Guardiola's side, heading into the weekend, but will face a City side with only one Premier League win in their last six matches. Victory over their modern title rivals will be of significant importance to Slot and his side if they are to get their Champions League qualification target back on track, after dropping to sixth in the table a fortnight ago.
While the Reds will once again likely have to use a midfielder at full-back against City, this week they made a statement of intent for next season by securing the signature of 20-year-old Rennes midfielder Jeremy Jacquet in a £60m deal.
Speaking about the Frenchman's capture and pending arrival, Slot said: "Very pleasing, because he is a very big talent and maybe even more than a talent, but we speak cause of his age.
"We weren't the only ones interested in him, so a big compliment to those who are signing the players. Another example of the model we use at this club: young, talented at the start of their careers, and can improve and help us for short and definitely long term.
"We have signed a lot of those recently and the mid to long-term future is in as very good place."
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While Jacquet is an exciting prospect for next season, Slot was under no illusion of the task that his side face when City come to Anfield on Sunday and the significance of ensuring that his Liverpool side can close the gap with the Champions League-chasing sides that currently sit above them.
"I mainly remember the game we played there [at City earlier this season] and were outplayed for large parts in the first half, so this is another moment to see where we are in the development of this team.
"We know the importance of a result. It's the end phase of the season, so results matter more and it's a very good team that beat Newcastle, not even with their starters, so that tells you with the game we played against them what a force Man City still is and always will be."