Liverpool’s problems at right-back got even worse on Sunday after Dominik Szoboszlai picked up a one-game suspension.
The Hungarian filled in at full-back once again as Manchester City came to Anfield, but was punished in a bizarre late incident with Erling Haaland.
Szoboszlai will now miss Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland as Liverpool try and bounce back from another costly defeat.
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Having failed to address their injury crisis during the January transfer window, Arne Slot is really down to the barest of bones for what is a really difficult away fixture.
Joe Gomez is one potential option after beginning his comeback from an injury picked up two weeks ago at Bournemouth, but speaking after Sunday’s defeat, Slot admitted that the No. 2 likely will not be fit in time.
Joe Gomez not ready to face Sunderland
Szoboszlai was the best option at right-back for the game against City, and although he was culpable for playing Bernardo Silva onside for the equalising goal, he did okay generally.
The 25-year-old would have been expected to go again on Wednesday, but given his unavailability, Slot was asked in his post-match press conference on the likelihood of Gomez or Jeremie Frimpong being back.
Arne Slot greets Joe Gomez after Liverpool's UEFA Champions League win against Marseille at Stade Velodrome
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
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“Jeremie for sure not, we knew this when he got injured that this was a few weeks,” he said.
“To be honest I don’t expect Joe to be back Wednesday, but you never know. But then he’s back after being out for three weeks. Would you play him then? You say no, but you don’t have to make the decision, I do!
“Let’s see what decision we make, but we have other players who can play that position as well.”
How many points are we getting from the next five? 😑
Arne Slot pictured before Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images).
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Who will play right-back for Liverpool?
Slot is now down to his fifth-choice right-back this season, and Liverpool are in a position that they have largely made for themselves.
The decision not to sign a temporary right-back in the final days of the transfer window was a baffling one and it looks set to badly cost them.
Curtis Jones is perhaps next in line to play, and while he is capable of doing so, it once again limits Slot’s options in midfield.
The bench is already paper-thin, and depleting it even further for such a tough game is really not ideal.
Liverpool could easily have avoided this, but as Slot stares down the barrel of another terrible defeat, he does not appear ready to accept any culpability.
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