Arne Slot expects Joe Gomez to be in starting contention for Liverpool’s trip to Nottingham Forest but both Jeremie Frimpong and Wataru Endo are ruled out.
Gomez has come off the bench in the last two games and Slot now considers him ready to start – in a major boost to Liverpool at right-back.
His availability comes with Frimpong still a week off making his return from a groin injury and Endo facing a long spell on the sidelines with a suspected broken foot.
But as he provided an update on the fitness of his squad on Thursday, Slot remained cryptic when it comes to Endo’s return.
Liverpool are yet to reveal the nature or severity of the midfielder’s injury, and though there are hopes he will return before the end of the season that remains to be seen.
“Jeremie will not be involved this weekend yet, we hope he will be involved next week if things go as planned,” Slot told reporters in his pre-match press conference.
“Wata will be out for a long time. We don’t know exactly how long, but long.”
Asked if Gomez is ready to start, Slot replied: “I think he is.”
Arne Slot unclear on Wataru Endo after “first lie”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Liverpool's Wataru Endo during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot’s update on Endo is confusing given the head coach’s comments after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup, when asked if his No. 3 had suffered a fracture.
“We don’t know yet. That’s the first lie I’ve made over here!” he laughed.
Either way it is clear Liverpool will be without Endo for a number of months and with it now mid-February the likelihood is that he will play a minimal role in the remainder of the campaign if at all.
The overriding concern may be his involvement with Japan at this summer’s World Cup, with the 33-year-old captain of his country.
Wataru Endo, Japan. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking at the weekend, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu revealed that he was yet to learn the verdict on scans on Endo’s injury but admitted “it’s clear from watching the video that he will be out for a long time.”
Endo is considered a long-term absentee along with Alexander Isak (broken leg), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring).
Isak is however stepping up his rehabilitation and Slot revealed in his press conference that the striker is slated to return in late March to early April.