A five-game stretch without some of his key players will prove a significant test for Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who provided an update on the injury situation at his pre-match press conference yesterday. With the team set to face Arsenal on Sunday, many of the players who were expected to be in contention for a starting spot are now significantly depleted.
Among the injured are Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, and Conor Bradley, who are all expected to miss the match at the Emirates. Slot’s update on the trio was that “they feel good, but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend.” Chiesa, who has been struggling with a minor injury, may attempt to train with the team later today or tomorrow, but Jota and Bradley are unlikely to participate at all.
The news will come as no surprise to fans, who have grown accustomed to the team’s recurring injury woes. Alisson and Harvey Elliott remain sidelined with long-term injuries, further reducing the squad’s already limited resources.
The beneficiary of Jota’s absence could be Darwin Nunez, who scored the winner in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night. Nunez, 22, has shown his ability to adapt to the Premier League at a rapid pace and will need to do so once again if he is to lead the line against the defending champions.
However, Slot also has other decisions to make regarding his lineup. Federico Chiesa’s absence has forced him to rethink his options on the right wing, with Mohamed Salah having been replaced just after the hour mark in midweek. The Dutchman has been heavily reliant on Chiesa’s creativity and pace, and his absence will be a significant loss.
Slot is likely to turn to familiar faces to fill the void, with Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz both in the frame for a starting spot. Jones, who scored the winner against Chelsea, could replace either Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister, while Diaz is likely to come in for Cody Gakpo.
In short, Slot will have to work his magic to turn his squad’s impressive results into a coveted away win at the Emirates. With Jota, Chiesa, and Bradley out, the team’s depth will be severely tested, and it will be up to the remaining players to step up and deliver a performance that can boost Liverpool’s title challenge.
