Arne Slot has revealed that Liverpool are down to just one fit senior centre-back for Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash at home to Qarabag. However, the Reds boss is not anticipating his defensive options will be further depleted by Andy Robertson's potential exit before Monday's transfer deadline.
Joe Gomez will be absent from the fixture with the hip problem sustained when colliding with Alisson during the opening period of Saturday's 3-2 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth. Whilst Gomez may be available for the weekend's home fixture against Newcastle, Liverpool will have only Virgil van Dijk as a natural centre-back against Qarabag as they seek the win that would guarantee automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16.
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Ibrahima Konate continues to be unavailable following the passing of his father.
When questioned about a timeframe for Gomez's return, Slot said: "No, not really. But I can confirm that he's not available for tomorrow evening. I expect him back in a relatively short time.
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"I have spoken to (Ibou). He's having a hard time but I'm hoping and expecting him back soon, but also not for tomorrow evening's game."
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Wataru Endo featured for the first time in over six weeks when coming on for Gomez during the final hour against Bournemouth, though Slot has suggested he is cautious about overloading the Japan midfielder following such an extended absence, with Ryan Gravenberch another option at centre-back.
"He has been out with an injury for quite a long time," said Slot of Endo. "He had to play against Bournemouth for quite a long time. And now tomorrow a game coming up and three days later another game coming up.
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"But that is not the only way I decide on my line-up. Tactics are involved in that as well. It is for sure that at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back.
"We can only play a midfielder there, because there are no centre-backs available apart from Virgil, who is one of the players I credit a lot for him being fit all the time. At his age, to constantly be ready to play another 90 is something we should not take for granted."
Robertson, who also came off the bench at Bournemouth, will once again feature in the matchday squad on Wednesday following Liverpool's decision this week to halt initial discussions with Tottenham regarding a permanent transfer.
"Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening," said Slot. "And he's been part of this squad, of this club for so many years. And I'm happy to have him.
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"It's good that he's available, because that's quite important for us at the moment to have players available. It's hard to say anything definitive in this world we are in, but I expect him to stay, yes."