Liverpool are back in Premier League action against Newcastle United on Saturday evening, aiming to pick up a first win of 2026.
The Reds suffered a harrowing defeat at the hands of Bournemouth last time out, handing the Cherries just their second league win in 14 matches.
Talk about Arne Slot’s future once again emerged after that fixture, but it remains to be seen what will happen on that front in the remainder of 2025/26.
Liverpool did bounce back in midweek to book their place in the last-16 of the Champions League, but unless they win that competition this term, they are currently on course to miss out on Europe’s premier tournament in 2026/27.
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They sit behind Manchester United and Chelsea and are only three points adrift of 11th place before the weekend’s action.
Arne Slot gives Liverpool injury update before Newcastle United
Ahead of Liverpool taking on Newcastle, Slot held his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
The Dutchman discussed a number of topics in his presser, including a squad fitness update.
Jeremie Frimpong was injured against Qarabag on Wednesday, while Ibrahima Konate has been away due to personal reasons.
When speaking to the media, Slot confirmed Frimpong is out, but his injury isn’t as bad as first feared, while Konate is now back in training and available for Saturday.
He said: “He [Frimpong] will definitely not be in the squad tomorrow, so he’s out for a few weeks. Not as bad as we thought. So something positive, from something not so positive.
“Ibou [Konate] trained with us yesterday, trains with us today and will be in the squad tomorrow.”
Who could be Liverpool’s short-term right-back transfer fix?
Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones update
Slot also confirmed that Curtis Jones is back, and provided an update on Joe Gomez, who was injured against Bournemouth.
He said: “Curtis is available; he was sick, as I said. And Joe [Gomez] will not be available, but that does not have to take much longer.”
With Gomez out of action again, Liverpool are left without a right-back for the Newcastle game.
However, the return of Jones likely means we could see the midfielder start in the back four this weekend.
Alternatively, Wataru Endo covered for Frimpong against Qarabag and could also be an option.
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