Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hinted that the Reds may receive a timely lift on the injury front ahead of Sunday’s heavyweight Premier League showdown with Manchester City.

Joe Gomez, who picked up a knock following an unfortunate collision with Alisson Becker during the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, has been sidelined in recent matches. The defender missed Liverpool’s victories over Qarabag and Newcastle, adding to an already growing injury list at Anfield.

With long-term absentees Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley still unavailable, and Jeremie Frimpong recently ruled out after suffering an injury early in the emphatic 6-0 win over Qarabag, Slot has been forced into creative solutions at the back. Midfielders Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai have all been asked to fill defensive roles in recent weeks.

Slot Cautiously Optimistic Over Gomez Return 👀

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Slot revealed there is still hope that Gomez could feature against City—if only in a limited capacity.

The Liverpool boss confirmed that Frimpong will definitely miss the weekend fixture, but offered a more positive update on Gomez, explaining that the defender could return to training on Saturday and may yet be included in the matchday squad.

With defensive options stretched thin, even a bench role for Gomez would represent a significant boost for the Reds.

Defensive Relief Could Be Crucial at Anfield 🏟️

Liverpool’s injury struggles have left Slot walking a fine line between necessity and caution. While Gomez’s fitness cannot be guaranteed, rushing him back would carry obvious risks given his past injury record. Still, the possibility of his involvement—even for part of the game—could help stabilize a back line that has been patched together in recent outings.

A rare midweek break has allowed the squad some recovery time after a relentless January schedule. However, Liverpool are now heading into another demanding run, with three matches packed into the space of seven days—making squad depth more important than ever.

Man City Threat Remains Real ⚠️

Despite ongoing narratives suggesting Manchester City are not quite at their peak, Pep Guardiola’s side still boast an array of attacking firepower. With names like Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku available, Liverpool’s defensive setup will be under serious examination.

Doku in particular could pose problems down the flank, especially if Slot is forced to deploy a makeshift right-back or rely on a defender just returning from injury.

A Decision That Could Shape the Weekend 🤔

Slot’s biggest call ahead of Sunday will be whether Gomez is ready to start, settle for a place on the bench, or sit the match out entirely. If the experienced defender is deemed fit enough to contribute, it could go a long way toward easing the defensive depth concerns that have troubled Liverpool for much of the season.

One thing is clear: any positive injury news ahead of a clash of this magnitude is more than welcome at Anfield 🔥🔴