Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a crucial squad update ahead of his side's pivotal Premier League encounter with Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday. The match comes at a time when the Reds' form is finally stabilising after a rocky period.
Liverpool's Squad News and Injury Latest
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arne Slot confirmed that Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez will miss the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Dutch forward's recent scan offered positive news, suggesting a return sooner than initially feared, though not in time for the weekend or the following week.
There was more optimistic news regarding midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who has returned to training. Slot indicated that the Hungarian's involvement against Spurs would depend on his fitness levels after the final session. "If he can fulfil the whole training session... and he feels comfortable to play, then he will start," said the Liverpool boss, highlighting Szoboszlai's importance as a regular starter.
Defender Jeremie Frimpong is set to return to the matchday squad, offering a boost to Slot's defensive options.
Salah's Departure for International Duty
Meanwhile, star forward Mohamed Salah has left the club to join the Egypt national team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. His departure follows a turbulent fortnight where he was omitted from the squad for a Champions League tie after public comments criticising the club.
Salah has now begun training with his international teammates at the Taghazout Stadium in Agadir. Egypt's first full-squad session took place on Thursday, with the 28-player group including Salah as they prepare for their tournament opener against Zimbabwe on December 22. The player marked his arrival by sharing images on social media from the team plane and the gym.
The Premier League Showdown in London
The context for Saturday's match sees two teams seeking consistency. Liverpool head into the game on an unbeaten run of five matches across all competitions, a welcome turnaround after a surprising string of defeats earlier in the campaign.
Their opponents, Tottenham, managed by Thomas Frank, have experienced similar fluctuations. While capable of impressive victories, such as against Manchester City, they have also suffered heavy losses, including a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. This makes the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a highly unpredictable affair, with both sides viewing it as a potential catalyst for their league seasons.
With key players absent and others returning, Arne Slot's team selection and tactics will be under intense scrutiny as Liverpool aim to continue their improved form without their talismanic Egyptian scorer.
