Arne Slot is dealing with a headache at right-back ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland on Wednesday, with Dominik Szoboszlai ruled out through suspension.
The Hungarian will miss the match after being sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring chance when he hauled down Erling Haaland in the chaotic closing moments of Sunday’s 2–1 Premier League defeat to Manchester City at Anfield.
With both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley already sidelined for the Sunderland clash, Slot has also suggested Joe Gomez is unlikely to return in time. Gomez has missed the last three matches due to a hip issue.
“Jeremie definitely won’t be available,” Slot explained. “We knew when he got injured it would take a few weeks. To be honest, I don’t expect Joe to be ready for Wednesday either, although you never know.
After being out for three weeks, would you really start him straight away? That’s something I have to decide.
“We’ll see what choice we make. We do have other options who can fill in there. Dom did very well in that role again, but sadly he won’t be available on Wednesday.”
Wataru Endo is one possible solution, having played almost the entire match at right-back after Frimpong was forced off during Liverpool’s 6–0 Champions League win over Qarabag two weeks ago.
Calvin Ramsay has also been among the substitutes in recent weeks. He started the League Cup defeat at home to Crystal Palace back in October but is still waiting to make his Premier League debut nearly four years after arriving from Aberdeen.
