Liverpool boss Arne Slot has provided a positive update on Joe Gomez, with the defender expected to take part in training later today.
The Reds make the journey to the Stadium of Light tomorrow to take on Sunderland, where they will be looking to bounce back after defeat to Manchester City at the weekend. They find themselves playing catch-up to Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for the top four, and could find themselves even futher behind by the time kick-off arrives tomorrow.
Their task is made all the harder by the lack of a right-back, with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong out injured, while Dominik Szoboszlai - who has covered the position in recent games - is out suspended after being sent off against City.
Gomez though could come back into the picture for Wednesday's trip to Sunderland, with the defender having been out since picking up a knock against Bournemouth.
"Joe has not trained with us yet, I’m expecting him to train with us today for the first time," Slot said in his pre-match press conference.
"If Joe’s not ready to start, then we’re missing four players that have played in that position, but Curtis [Jones] and Wata [Endo] also played in that position this year, so we’ve had six different right fullbacks this season."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking about Szoboszlai's red card, Slot added: "My feelings haven’t changed. The moment I saw he got a red card, I was disappointed not to have him against Sunderland, but on the other hand, I think the referee did what he had to do, and that’s not what we like if we love football. But it’s the rule book, and referees are there to follow the rule book."
Liverpool will also be without defender Giovanni Leoni and striker Alexander Isak, with both still recovering from their long-term injuries.
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The Reds will head to Sunderland needing to make up ground on both United and Chelsea, with both of Liverpool's rivals having won all of their games since changing their managers.
Asked how results need to go between now and the end of the season, Slot responded: "Close to perfection, because of the points we are behind. We also know it is different when you are four points behind the team that is 18th or 19th in the league because they usually don't pick up as many points as the number three, four or five picks up.
"To close the gap of four or five points towards the number three, four or five means you have to win a lot, and that's not what we've done this season a lot, so that's why that has to be better, and we have to come close to perfection."