Arne Slot has confirmed that Joe Gomez will not take part in Liverpool’s Premier League game against Arsenal on Sunday, with the defender still not fully recovered from his hamstring injury.
The 27-year-old hasn’t played a single minute in the Premier League since the turn of the year, with Gomez sustaining an injury in the 5-0 victory over West Ham United on 29 December. He then returned for the disastrous FA Cup trip to Plymouth Argyle, but lasted just nine minutes before he had to be replaced.
Gomez ultimately required surgery to fix the issue and hasn’t played since 9 February. Slot revealed two weeks ago that the center-back faced a race against time to recover before the season’s conclusion.
So the sight of him back in team training on Friday was a welcome boost. Gomez appeared to participate in the full session and featured heavily in Liverpool’s media coverage.
But, speaking to the club’s website, Slot confirmed Gomez is not fully recovered and his participation before the end of the season is still in doubt.
“He is becoming closer and closer [to returning],” the head coach explained. “He is joining training sessions at the moment; he has been out for a long time.
“The last part of rehab is the hardest. I cannot guarantee it [that Gomez will feature before the end of the season], but he is getting closer and closer.”
Should Gomez not feature again this season, it could mean he has played his last-ever game for Liverpool. The club’s longest-serving player could move on this summer as Slot looks to reshape the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
Gomez, who joined Liverpool in 2015, has played 241 times for the club, which would be drastically increased if not for a plethora of injuries suffered during his time at Anfield.
In the immediate, Gomez’s lack of availability solves one headache for Slot. The Dutchman must choose between 20 outfield players for Sunday’s matchday squad against Arsenal. With only 18 spots available, Gomez and another senior teammate will be overlooked.
Ryan Gravenberch missed out last time as he was rested for the trip to Chelsea, while Federico Chiesa has often been the man to make way this season when every player has been fit.
Alternatively, Trent Alexander-Arnold could offer an easy solution given the player has no long-term future at the club and is not part of Slot’s plans.
