đ´ Surprise Admission from Arne Slot Ahead of Crucial Liverpool Clash!
Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage for their first away fixture of 2026 with plenty of questions still hanging over the squadâs fitness and selection. While the Reds remain competitive in the Premier League race, manager Arne Slot has pulled back the curtain on his thinking, revealing why he made a controversial decision during their recent 0â0 draw with Leeds.
At his pre-match press briefing, Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez has returned to training after missing three matches with a muscle issue â a boost for the defensive unit â while Wataru Endo continues to sit out with an ankle problem.
â ď¸ One of the biggest talking points from the Leeds game was Slotâs substitution of Florian Wirtz, and the boss offered a straightforward explanation: Wirtzâs hamstring still wasnât right enough to handle the demands of back-to-back games, and with key fixtures approaching, Slot didnât want to take a risk.
đ¨ With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and long-term absentees like Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni still missing, Liverpoolâs depth is being tested â making every rotation call even more weighty.
Slot also stressed that the draw at Leeds, despite missing certain stars, showcased the squadâs resilience and the value of keeping players available for the grueling schedule ahead. The focus now shifts to whether Liverpool can maintain momentum with a slim squad and big ambitions still intact.
