Joe Gomez Misses Training Before Liverpool’s Clash with Galatasaray
Liverpool faced a last-minute selection question on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League second-leg tie with Galatasaray. Defender Joe Gomez was absent from the club’s open training session.
Gomez’s fitness status
The 28-year-old had completed three successive 90-minute matches. Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Tottenham was his third straight full game.
That run marked his first series of full matches since January 2024. Club staff withheld a definitive update after the session.
Defensive options for Arne Slot
Head coach Arne Slot must weigh several defensive changes. Ibrahima Konaté could return at centre-back after a difficult game in Istanbul last week.
Slot also faces a positional choice involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong. Szoboszlai has featured on the right side of defence recently.
Possible line-up permutations
- Start Konaté alongside Virgil van Dijk if Gomez is unavailable.
- Keep Szoboszlai in a defensive right role to preserve balance.
- Drop Frimpong from a wing role into full-back if more pace is needed.
Alexander Isak’s rehabilitation
Striker Alexander Isak continued outdoor running as part of his recovery. The British record signing cost £125 million (£166.9m quoted at $166.9m).
Isak has been sidelined since December with a broken leg. He is expected to edge closer to a return after the upcoming international break.
Implications for the tie
Gomez’s absence could alter Liverpool’s defensive shape for the home leg. Selection choices may determine whether the team plays more conservatively.
Filmogaz.com understands the squad will finalise decisions only after a late fitness check. The club will assess all players before naming the matchday squad.
