This is the latest Liverpool team news ahead of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Anfield.
The reigning champions open their title defence tonight (8pm BST) as they host AFC Bournemouth in front of the home crowd.
Arne Slot raised eyebrows last season by steering the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English league title in his debut campaign as head coach. Succeeding Jurgen Klopp — who restored Liverpool to the European elite over nine years — was always going to be a daunting task, yet Slot built on his predecessor’s foundations to guide the team comfortably to the top-flight crown. The Dutchman now faces the challenge of retaining the trophy, something Liverpool have not managed since 1984.
The task will be far from straightforward. While the squad has been reinforced with over £250 million spent on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Giorgi Mamardashvili, rivals Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have also strengthened significantly.
At this early stage of the campaign, any slip-up could prove costly. Liverpool come up against a Bournemouth side that achieved their highest-ever Premier League finish last term, ending ninth. However, the Reds may have to navigate the match without three defenders.
Slot revealed there is still uncertainty over Joe Gomez’s availability. The club’s longest-serving player picked up an Achilles injury during the pre-season tour of Asia. Although Gomez has returned to training, it remains unclear whether he will be fit enough to feature. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot explained:
“I think he only trained twice now, missed quite a lot in pre-season. But if you looked at our bench against Palace, I think there were three players that were 20 years old or younger. So, there is a possibility that Joe might be on the bench but I have to look at the numbers and who we’re going to take.”
Conor Bradley missed the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on penalties and was also absent from training earlier this week, putting his involvement in doubt. In his place, Jeremie Frimpong — who found the net at Wembley — is expected to make his Premier League debut.
Arne Slot also faces a call over Kostas Tsimikas. The left-back was unexpectedly left out of the Community Shield squad despite featuring against Athletic Bilbao in a friendly just six days earlier.
His future remains uncertain following Liverpool’s £40 million acquisition of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. With Andy Robertson still at Anfield, Tsimikas has slipped to third choice in the pecking order.
Nottingham Forest expressed interest in the Greece international earlier in the summer, while Leeds United were also linked before opting to sign Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille for £10 million. Tsimikas did take part in training this week, leaving Slot to decide whether to reinstate him.
Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch will play no part in the opener. The defensive midfielder, who is Liverpool’s preferred option in the number-six role, must serve a suspension following his red card on the final day of last season.
In other news, Liverpool Set for Next Two Transfers After Giovanni Leoni as Slot Makes Telling Gesture