Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, as manager Arne Slot delivered a major injury update during his pre-match press conference. While the Reds have received some positive news on key players, Slot confirmed that seven stars will be sidelined for the trip to north London, with Mohamed Salah also absent due to international commitments.
The bombshell revelation comes on the eve of the match, as Liverpool aim to extend their unbeaten run to six games across all competitions following last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion. Slot’s side has been in fine form, but injuries have plagued the squad in recent weeks, forcing the Dutch boss to shuffle his lineup.
In a significant boost, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is on track to return after being forced off during the Brighton win. Slot revealed that the Hungarian international partially trained yesterday and could start if he completes today’s session without issues. “Dom has been a starter for me in the one-and-a-half years I am here now and for the performances he’s brought in, he would be a starter tomorrow if he is completely fit,” Slot said. “That completely depends on how he does today. So if he can fulfil the whole training session and then you speak to the player and the medical staff. If the player feels comfortable to play and he did all the things he had to do, then he will start.”
Adding to the good news, Liverpool’s right-back options have been bolstered. Conor Bradley returns from suspension, while Jeremie Frimpong is back in full training after missing time since picking up a muscle injury in the 5-1 Champions League thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22. This timely return is crucial, as Joe Gomez—who started at right-back against Brighton—has been ruled out for the Tottenham game.
Forward Cody Gakpo also received a positive update following a scan on his knock. Although he will miss Saturday’s fixture and the subsequent home clash against Wolves, Slot indicated that the Dutchman’s recovery is progressing faster than initially feared. “He had a scan that looked promising so that means that we are not that worried anymore, as we were maybe one or two weeks ago,” the manager explained. “So that means he might come back a bit earlier than expected two weeks ago, but that’s definitely not tomorrow and also not next week.”
However, the injury list remains lengthy, with Slot confirming seven players unavailable due to fitness issues: Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns, and Kaide Gordon. No further details were provided on Endo, while Leoni continues his long-term recovery. Additionally, star forward Mohamed Salah has departed to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving a massive void in Liverpool’s attack for their first outing without him.
This mix of boosts and setbacks sets the stage for a challenging encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Liverpool’s depth will be tested, but with Szoboszlai potentially back in the fold and reinforcements at right-back, Slot remains optimistic about maintaining their momentum in the title race.
Dominik Szoboszlai has been a key player for Liverpool this season, and his potential return could prove pivotal against Spurs. Stay tuned for more updates as the Reds prepare for what promises to be a thrilling London showdown.