Joe Gomez is expected to be available for selection for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend, Arne Slot has confirmed.
The Reds haven’t been helped by fitness issues this season, especially at right-back, with a host of options there unavailable in recent months.
Speaking in his pre-Forest press conference on Friday, Slot said that Jeremie Frimpong and Wataru Endo remain missing for the game, with the latter out for a lengthy period:
“Jeremie will not be involved this weekend yet. We hope he will be involved next week [against West Ham] if things go as planned.
“No, Wata will be out for a long time, as I said earlier. We don’t know exactly how long – but long.”
Slot also dropped a key and more positive five-word update regarding Gomez, when asked whether he will be available for Sunday’s trip to the City Ground: “Yeah, I think he is.”
Joe Gomez remains an invaluable squad player for Liverpool
Having Gomez back for the weekend action is great news for Liverpool, with the 28-year-old continuing to be such a handy squad player.
The Englishman may not be a key starter these days, but his versatility is such a strong weapon for the Reds, with Slot lauding him in the past:
“Last season he played many, many, many games – I think you could call him a starter that season – and in some other seasons maybe he was more of the second choice in every other position in the last line. For him to keep doing this probably tells you a lot about his mentality but also what he does on a daily basis in training sessions and at home to stay as fit as he is, because he’s incredibly fit and ready to perform. That is more special than people think it is, that’s definitely true.”
Gomez is unlikely to start away to Forest, both in terms of fitness and general selection, but he could be a good option from the substitutes’ bench, especially if Liverpool are holding onto a lead.
Curtis Jones feels like the best choice at right-back, having impressed in the 3-0 win at home to Brighton in the FA Cup, with Dominik Szoboszlai continuing in midfield.