Arne Slot has delivered tough news for Liverpool ahead of their Wednesday clash with Aston Villa.
Firstly, he confirmed that both Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez will miss the game. In addition, the manager stressed that these setbacks could influence the team’s momentum.
Cody Gakpo picked up a knock during the Merseyside derby, and as a result, he missed the 2–1 win over Wolves. Moreover, although Slot insists the injury is not serious, returning for the Villa match would be premature. Consequently, Gakpo’s absence raises concerns for the attacking unit.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez suffered a hamstring injury in January and has yet to return to full fitness. Furthermore, a recent setback has forced Slot to consider the possibility of surgery. Therefore, Gomez will miss several weeks as he works to recover and regain form.
Slot emphasized, “Cody and Joe are unavailable for tomorrow.” He added that Cody is nearing a return, yet the timing is not right for him to feature. Additionally, Slot expressed his frustration that Joe’s brief comeback ended after just two to three minutes of play, a setback that now jeopardizes his season.
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This injury blow hits the team hard, and it affects both the players and the squad’s overall strategy. Consequently, Joe Gomez is expected to miss a large part of the season’s closing phase. However, the club remains optimistic that he will rejoin during the end phase after a thorough recovery.
In addition, Tyler Morton is struggling with a shoulder injury that keeps him off the pitch. Conversely, Curtis Jones will soon return after serving a one-match ban for his sending off against Everton. Thus, Liverpool must adjust swiftly to these personnel changes.
With Gakpo sidelined, Diogo Jota now has the opportunity to step up. Notably, Jota made his first league start since October in the match against Wolves. Moreover, Slot recalled his impressive performances before the injury and noted the long absence of their number nine, which lasted three to four months. As a result, fans can expect him to feature in the next three games, even if he does not play full 90-minute matches.
Finally, despite these injury concerns, Liverpool continues to focus on their upcoming fixtures. In addition, Sky has recently unveiled a deal on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle that saves £192 and grants access to 1,400 live matches. Overall, the club remains determined to overcome these setbacks as the season enters a critical phase.