Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool missed the chance to make it three straight Anfield wins after surrendering a late lead in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning long-range free-kick was cancelled out by Bernardo Silva before Erling Haaland struck an injury-time penalty winner.
Arne Slot’s side now turn their focus to Wednesday night’s trip to Sunderland as they look to close the gap on the Premier League’s top five. With no players expected back and Szoboszlai suspended, rotation options are limited during a demanding run of fixtures.
Slot has not ruled out Joe Gomez stepping in to address Liverpool’s right-back issues at the Stadium of Light. “Joe has not trained with us yet,” Slot told his pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday morning.
“I’m expecting him to train with us for the first time today. Indeed, if Joe is not ready to start then we are missing four players who 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 full-backs this season.”
Slot will, however, not turn to Calvin Ramsay as an option for the game. The Reds remain without Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley through injury, while Szoboszlai is suspended after his late red card against City.
Ramsay, signed from Aberdeen in 2022, has yet to make a Premier League appearance. Responding to suggestions, the 22-year-old could be an option at right-back, Slot said: “In general, if you don’t win a game, the players who aren’t playing become the best players in the squad.
“That’s the same everywhere in the world. This is an example of that as well. I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
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