Liverpool vs Man City: Arne Slot awaits fitness updates on Gomez, Bradley & more

Arne Slot Faces Fitness Questions Ahead of Liverpool’s Clash with Manchester City

Liverpool returns to action on Sunday with a pivotal Premier League match against Manchester City. As the Reds prepare to host the current league runners-up, manager Arne Slot is awaiting updates on the fitness of several key players, casting a shadow of uncertainty over his team selection.

The most pressing concern revolves around defender Joe Gomez. Gomez sustained a hip injury during the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on December 22, 2025, after a collision with goalkeeper Alisson Becker. While Slot expressed some optimism regarding Gomez’s potential return, his availability for the Manchester City game remains uncertain. The defender has missed the last two games as of December 5, 2025.

Liverpool’s right-back options are further depleted by the continued absence of Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley. Bradley is sidelined for the remainder of the season following knee surgery. Frimpong is expected to be out for a couple of weeks due to a groin issue that kept him out of the match against Newcastle United. This leaves Slot with limited options at right-back, potentially increasing the importance of Gomez’s recovery.

Adding to the defensive concerns, Alexander Isak remains out indefinitely. The centre-back underwent surgery on an ankle injury, including a fractured fibula, sustained in a match against Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas. His recovery timeline extends for several months, leaving a significant void in Liverpool’s defensive lineup.

Further down the squad list, teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni is also ruled out for the season after undergoing ACL surgery in September. Youngsters Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajectic, and Wellity Lucky are also currently unavailable, though their absence is less impactful to the first-team picture.

The injury situation isn’t exclusive to Liverpool. Manchester City also faces its share of fitness concerns heading into Sunday’s match. Centre-backs Josko Gvardiol (shin) and John Stones (thigh) are both dealing with injuries, prompting City to pursue Marc Guehi in the transfer market. However, Ruben Dias has returned to training, offering a potential boost to City’s defensive options.

City’s attacking line is also facing uncertainty, with forwards Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku listed as doubts for the match. Midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Savio are also expected to miss the game.

The timing of these injuries for both teams adds another layer of intrigue to what is already a highly anticipated fixture. Manchester City will also be preparing for their League Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, potentially influencing Pep Guardiola’s team selection and approach to the Liverpool match.

Arne Slot’s pre-match press conference will be crucial in providing a clearer picture of the players available for selection. The Liverpool manager has previously commented on the need for reinforcements, particularly in defense, and the current injury list only reinforces that point. A report from November 29, 2025, indicated Slot had addressed his decision to limit Wataru Endo’s playing time, citing the performance of Ryan Gravenberch. However, the defensive injuries now necessitate a different assessment of squad depth and tactical flexibility.

The return of Conor Bradley was initially seen as a positive development, with Slot confirming his availability for the Leeds United match on December 7, 2025. However, his subsequent injury has further complicated matters. The fitness of Joe Gomez will be paramount, as his ability to feature at right-back could alleviate some of the pressure on Slot’s defensive options.

As Liverpool prepares to face a formidable Manchester City side, the availability of key players will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the outcome of the match. Slot will need to carefully assess the fitness of his squad and make strategic decisions to navigate a challenging situation.