Slot Gives Update on Injured Reds Trio Ahead of Fulham
The Liverpool Boss gave an update during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against Fulham.
Liverpool managed to keep the pressure on their closest rivals in the Premier League title chase, Arsenal, by nabbing a hard-fought win against Everton at Anfield. Now, even though Arsenal also won their match, Liverpool only need 13 points out of a possible 24 remaining to clinch the top spot.
All of Liverpool’s remaining fixtures - including the marquee matchup against Arsenal on May 11th - pose a little bit of a challenge. And while it’s reasonable to expect that Liverpool should still see this out, it won’t be without a bit of a challenge along the way.
For instance, this weekend’s opponents are a Fulham team with everything to play for as Marco Silva’s squad are only 6 points out of the European spots. The type of achievement that would be a big deal for The Cottagers.
And though we’ve just come out of the international break, Liverpool’s positioning as one of the biggest club’s in Europe means that nearly all of the squad ends up leaving to represent their respective nations in competition. Rest, then, is herd to come by.
Which compounds the rehabilitation schedules of injured Reds such as Alisson Becker and Conor Bradley. Both players have made strides by returning to training, but the manager threw a bit of cold water with regards to the pair being a lock to play on the weekend, while at his pre-match press conference.
“Conor, we have to wait and see if he is ready to be with the squad for Sunday...And with Ali, it is simple: it is a concussion and you have to tick all the boxes. The moment he does, he will be in goal. The moment he doesn’t, we are following the protocol.”
It remains as it was headed into the Merseyside Derby, then: wait and see, as it goes for the Brazilian net-minder and the Northern Ireland right-back.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both on the long-term injury list, Bradley’s availability has the biggest impact, with Slot needing to opt between Jarell Quansah or Curtis Jones, who deputized in the role during the Derby, to make-up for the gap in the squad. Jones impressed mid-week against Everton and Slot was asked about the right-back options at his presser.
“Then of course Curtis is an option because he did well, but I think Jarell [Quansah] did well a few times in that position also. Let’s wait and see which decision we make on Sunday.”
Slot remains cagey while fans are left trying to puzzle over what the boss might decide come Sunday.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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