Liverpool could be without Joe Gomez for their Champions League clash with Galatasaray, with head coach Arne Slot confirming as much.
The Reds host the Turkish side on Wednesday evening in a massive game, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit after losing narrowly last week, reaching the quarter-finals in the process.
Speaking in his pre-Galatasaray press conference, Slot confirmed that Gomez, a player he has called “special” in the past, is a doubt for the match because of injury, with Alexander Isak also not yet ready to return to the fold.
“Alex is not available for tomorrow, and Joe, we will decide that tomorrow,” Slot said.
“He wasn’t ready to train today, he had too much issues after our last game, although he had these issues already after the Galatasaray game [and] wasn’t planned to play against Tottenham but unfortunately Ibou got discomfort in his hamstring so we couldn’t take the risk of playing him.
“That’s why Joe had to play and that has built up so much that now he’s a bit of a doubt for tomorrow.
“But he’s going to try tomorrow, to see if he is available. Alex is, like I said, not available for tomorrow but the fact that you see him on the pitch tells you that he gets closer and closer to joining us again.”
How will Liverpool line-up vs. Galatasaray?
It will be interesting to see what starting lineup Slot goes with at Anfield, with Ibrahima Konate set to replace Gomez at the heart of the defence, even if the latter is passed fit.
Alexis Mac Allister is surely on the cusp of being dropped from the midfield, following too many tired-looking performances this season, and Curtis Jones will hope to start in his place, even though it is far from a guarantee.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is likely to come in after being a substitute in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham in the Premier League, with Jeremie Frimpong making way.
Dominik Szoboszlai may again be at right-back – Florian Wirtz will then be in the No. 10 role – and Hugo Ekitike is also expected to start, with teenager Rio Ngumoha dropping to the bench.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Galatasaray: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
