Liverpool had to use Curtis Jones at right-back during their Merseyside derby win and Arne Slot is waiting to see whether Conor Bradley returns from injury before making any further selection calls
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Arne Slot is hoping to have Conor Bradley available again
Arne Slot is hoping to have Conor Bradley available again
Arne Slot will wait to see if Conor Bradley is fit to return against Fulham before deciding if he will stick with Curtis Jones at right back. Bradley has trained with the Liverpool first team but was not ready to face Everton on Wednesday night.
The Northern Ireland international is pushing to get involved but Jones impressed at right back in the Merseyside derby win. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez remain out while Slot could also play Jarell Quansah in the position.
Slot said: “Trent and Joe won't be back for upcoming weeks. Conor we have to wait and see for Sunday. Curtis did well and Jarell did well also.”
The Liverpool head coach was impressed with Jones’ versatility this season for the team as they sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League after the 1-0 win over their neighbours. He said: “He has mentality if you give him challenge, he likes to be challenged. Some players hate to be challenged, but Curtis is the type of player who wants to be challenged. If you tell him he's playing against the best England midfielder then he's up for the challenge.”
Alisson missed the derby win because he didn’t meet concussion protocols after getting a serious blow to the head while playing for Brazil last month. But Liverpool will hope that he’s ready for Sunday’s clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage if he comes through all the tests clear.
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The Dutch boss said: “With Ali, it's a concussion and you have to tick all the boxes. Moment he does, he's in goal.” Slot was speaking to the media less than 12 hours after the derby win so was not sure if any players picked up knocks during the game.
Alexis Mac Allister was obviously at the wrong end of a horror tackle from James Tarkowski. Slot added: “I hope that as Macca finished game it's all good for him, but sometimes adrenaline can get you through. If you have a sleep maybe you can then feel something.”
Curtis Jones filled in at right-back for the Merseyside derby
Curtis Jones filled in at right-back for the Merseyside derby
Liverpool were obviously not happy about Tarkowski’s tackle not being a red card during the Merseyside derby. The PGMOL have admitted referee Sam Barrott and VAR Paul Tierney were wrong not to send off the Everton captain.
Slot said: "I think it's always good that if they think they made a mistake they acknowledge that and we all know that mistakes are made in football matches, by us, by me, players, referees. It is good they acknowledged the mistake, but it was so clear what I said yesterday that so many pundits who aren't Liverpool fans were all clear about it too so it is good they acknowledged it but let's move on to Sunday.”
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