Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hinted that Joe Gomez could yet play a part in Sunday’s huge Premier League meeting with Manchester City, offering a glimmer of optimism amid the club’s ongoing defensive injury problems.

The defender has been sidelined since picking up a knock in the dramatic 3–2 loss to Bournemouth, where an unfortunate clash with goalkeeper Alisson Becker forced him off. He has since missed victories over Qarabag and Newcastle, leaving Liverpool stretched at the back.

Slot has already been dealing with long-term absences to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, while Jeremie Frimpong was added to the injury list after being forced off early during the emphatic 6–0 win against Qarabag. As a result, the Dutch coach has been forced into creative solutions, deploying midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai in defensive roles.

Slot hopeful ahead of Anfield showdown

Speaking to the media ahead of the City clash, Slot revealed there is still a chance Gomez could be involved, even if no final decision has been made.

Frimpong has already been ruled out for the weekend, but Slot confirmed there is optimism surrounding Gomez’s recovery, explaining that the defender may be able to return to training on Saturday. With defensive options running thin, even a limited role could prove valuable.

Why Gomez’s return would matter

Liverpool’s lack of natural defenders has been one of the major challenges of the season so far, making the possibility of Gomez returning—whether as a starter or from the bench—a timely lift. That said, caution remains necessary given his injury history, and the club are unlikely to take unnecessary risks.

The Reds have benefited from their first free midweek in some time, allowing players to recover after a demanding January. However, that brief pause is followed by another intense run of three matches in seven days, where squad depth will again come under scrutiny.

Despite suggestions that Manchester City are no longer at their peak, Pep Guardiola’s side still carry serious attacking threats, including Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo.

Slot still has key decisions to make—particularly at right-back—but if Gomez is cleared in time, his availability could ease Liverpool’s defensive concerns and provide a much-needed boost ahead of one of the toughest fixtures of the season.