Liverpool have been handed some good news on the eve of their trip to face Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, but Arne Slot will still be without a full squad
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that Dominik Szoboszlai should be ready for Saturday's clash at Tottenham Hotspur. The Reds will also receive a boost with two right-backs available and the news that Cody Gakpo's knock isn't as serious as initially thought.
Both Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez were forced off during last Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion at home, a result that stretched Liverpool's unbeaten streak across all competitions to five games.
They'll be aiming to extend that run to six tomorrow evening in north London, and speaking at this morning's press conference, Slot revealed that whilst Gomez will miss out, crucial midfielder Szoboszlai appears set to feature in the squad and will get the nod if he's "completely fit".
The squad will feature Conor Bradley, who was unavailable against Brighton due to suspension, alongside fellow right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who has been out of action since picking up a muscle problem in the 5-1 Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22, but has now returned to full training.
This comes at a perfect time with Gomez, who began at right-back against the Seagulls, ruled out of the trip to Spurs, reports the Liverpool Echo. There are seven absentees in total with Gomez and Gakpo joined by Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns and Kaide Gordon in the treatment room, while Mohamed Salah has left to play for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Slot said: "Joe is not in the squad as well for the weekend and Dominik trained yesterday, parts of the training (session), for the first time, so let's see where he is today and how he is tomorrow. Jeremie is in the squad again as well."
When questioned about whether Szoboszlai will start, the boss added: "That completely depends on how he does today. So if 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.
"If he can fulfil the whole session or he fulfils it but he doesn't feel comfortable himself we will have a discussion. But 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 also provided a positive update on Gakpo, who had a scan this week. Whilst the attacker will miss this weekend's fixture, along with the home clash against Wolves the following Saturday, he should return earlier than anticipated.
Slot revealed: "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. 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."
No news was given regarding midfielder Endo, whilst defender Leoni remains sidelined long term. The showdown with Tottenham will mark the Reds' first outing since star striker Salah's departure for AFCON.