Arne Slot will likely pick between Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones or keep Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back after Jeremie Frimpong missed training; Wataru Endo is expected to be out for a long time
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Liverpool face selection dilemma and injury concerns ahead of Nottingham Forest
Liverpool must resolve a tactical selection problem at right-back ahead of their Premier League visit to Nottingham Forest. Manager Arne Slot confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong is unavailable for the match at the City Ground.
The decision forces Slot to choose between a returning Joe Gomez, makeshift options who have filled in recently, or alternative defensive solutions.
Slot also provided a worrying update on midfielder Wataru Endo, who faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
With long-term absentees including Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, Liverpool’s matchday selection will require careful balance between immediate needs and season-long squad management.
The match is scheduled for 2pm GMT on Sunday, February 22, 2026. From a strategic perspective, Slot must weigh defensive stability against the need to protect squad fitness across a congested calendar.
Right-back dilemma: Gomez returns to contention
From a strategic perspective, Slot must weigh defensive stability against the need to protect squad fitness across a congested calendar. Joe Gomez’s recent substitute appearances and visible work in training have restored him to consideration for a start.
Frimpong remains sidelined with a groin injury, and Slot confirmed the player will not be involved this weekend. Slot added that he hopes Frimpong will be available for the following match if recovery proceeds as planned. Gomez’s minutes on the bench and in late-game roles provide a short-term option without requiring a tactical overhaul.
Squad options and tactical consequences
The immediate choice is between selecting Gomez to prioritise defensive cohesion or reshuffling the right flank to preserve fitness elsewhere. Gomez offers experience in positional discipline and aerial defence. A Gomez start would likely see the full-back maintain a conservative wide position to limit counterattacks.
Alternatively, a more attack-minded replacement would increase width and forward runs but could expose space behind the backline. Such a change would shift responsibility for transitional marking onto the midfield. From a match-management viewpoint, using Gomez as a starter with a planned late substitution preserves his minutes while limiting risk.
The data shows a clear trend: managers facing short-term absences often prefer experienced, lower-risk selections to preserve season-long availability. Applying that logic here, Slot can minimise disruption by pairing Gomez with a midfield shield tasked with covering the right channel during offensive phases.
Substitution patterns and in-game instructions will be decisive. Concrete actionable steps: monitor Frimpong’s training outputs before finalising the lineup; prepare a tailored pressing map for Gomez; and designate a late-game substitute to inject pace if the match requires increased tempo.
The choice over the right-back role affects selection across the pitch. From a strategic perspective, the coaching staff must weigh defensive solidity against midfield shape and attacking creativity. The data shows a clear trend: deploying midfielders at full-back preserves one specialist but can reduce forward momentum late in matches. Tactical adjustments under this constraint include limiting rotations in narrow areas, assigning conservative pressing zones, and nominating a high-speed substitute for the closing stages.
Injury list and long-term implications
Current status: several squad members are carrying knocks that influence selection and periodization. Medical staff report a mix of muscle strains, minor ligament complaints and fatigue-related issues. Those conditions limit training intensity and reduce availability for tightly scheduled fixtures.
Short-term implications: managers are likely to favour reliability over experimentation. Expect conservative minutes for players with recent soft-tissue injuries. Squad rotation will prioritise players with full training loads and shorter recovery windows.
Medium- to long-term implications: persistent availability problems will shape transfer and succession planning. From a strategic perspective, sustained use of midfielders in defensive roles may prompt recruitment of versatile full-backs or a specialist right-back for depth. The operational framework consists of monitored workload plans, targeted rehabilitation, and scenario-based matchday lists to minimise recurrence.
Matchday management: the medical and coaching teams must synchronise on pre-match readiness checks, substitution triggers tied to physical metrics, and bespoke recovery protocols. Concrete actionable steps: document individual load limits; apply GPS thresholds for minutes; enforce phased reintegration in training.
Wider risks: prolonged reliance on positional switches can erode attacking output and lower expected goals probability. Clubs must track citation patterns in performance data and adjust tactical profiles accordingly. The final selection will balance immediate match demands with preservation of squad fitness across the remaining schedule.
The final selection will balance immediate match demands with preservation of squad fitness across the remaining schedule. Coach Slot was explicit about the differing severity of current absences.
Frimpong is described as a short-term absentee and is expected to rejoin the group within a week if recovery proceeds normally. By contrast, Slot said, “Wata will be out for a long time. We don’t know exactly how long.” Media reports and comments from team staff point to a suspected fracture, and footage reviewed by Japan’s manager has reinforced expectations that Endo will be sidelined for an extended period.
Following the suspected fracture to midfield player Endo, Liverpool face a broader injury challenge that reshapes selection choices for upcoming fixtures. Alexander Isak remains sidelined with a broken leg but is reportedly progressing through rehabilitation and targeting a return between late March and early April. Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury and remains out of contention. Conor Bradley is absent with a knee problem and is not expected to return this season. Young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is coping with a hamstring issue.
Impact on team selection and season targets
The injury mix forces manager Arne Slot to manage minutes and rotation across a congested schedule. From a strategic perspective, the squad will require careful load management to protect long-term targets while remaining competitive in immediate fixtures. The data shows a clear trend: multiple long-term absences compress available options at several positions, increasing reliance on squad depth and academy graduates.
Slot is likely to prioritise match-specific selections to balance recovery and results. Tactical flexibility will be tested as set pieces, defensive cover and midfield transitions need alternative personnel. Squad training sessions will emphasise conditioning and simplified tactical plans to reduce injury risk.
Medical staff will monitor rehabilitation progress closely, with targeted milestones for each player. Isak’s timetable—rehabilitation progressing toward a late March to early April return—is a conditional marker rather than a fixed date. Recovery for Leoni, Bradley and Bajcetic will depend on individual responses to treatment and load management.
Immediate operational priorities for the club include adjusting rotation plans, reinforcing injury prevention protocols in training and preparing contingency line-ups for upcoming matches. The evolving availability picture will shape Liverpool’s short-term ambitions and selection strategy for the remainder of the campaign.
Predicted lineup and immediate changes
The data shows a clear trend: selection will prioritise balance between defensive solidity and midfield control. Slot must field a starting XI that mitigates experience losses while retaining intensity.
Who: Liverpool’s available senior players will form the spine of the team. The manager is likely to select a conservative midfield shape to protect the backline and compensate for missing experienced figures.
What: Immediate changes will include a more compact midfield, fuller use of wing-backs, and rotation to preserve match fitness across competitions. Tactical tweaks will emphasise positional discipline and simplified transitional play.
Where and when: In domestic and European fixtures scheduled for the coming weeks, the evolving availability picture will determine specific selections. Short-term ambition is to avoid further strain on the squad.
Why: Reduced squad depth increases the risk of performance drop during congested schedules. Effective recovery protocols and pragmatic tactical adjustments are the primary levers to sustain form.
Practical adjustments to expect:
- Compact midfield: narrower spacing between lines to reduce exposure in transition.
- Wing-back emphasis: greater reliance on wide players for attacking width and defensive cover.
- Targeted rotation: managed minutes for key starters to limit injury recurrence.
- Set-piece focus: clearer defensive assignments to offset experience gaps.
From a strategic perspective, recovery management will be critical. The operational framework consists of coordinated medical monitoring, load management, and tailored training sessions to expedite safe returns.
Concrete actionable steps: increase physiotherapy throughput, introduce individualised conditioning plans, and use rotation to protect players during fixture congestion. These steps aim to preserve competitive objectives across competitions.
Milestone to watch: a return to full training by senior midfielders and full-backs will restore selection flexibility. Until then, Slot must blend caution with competitiveness to maintain momentum.
Predicted starting XI and tactical balance
Until then, Slot must blend caution with competitiveness to maintain momentum. The likely formation is a 4-2-3-1, combining returning starters with tactical adjustments.
The goalkeeper is expected to be Alisson. The back four would feature Dinko Kerkez at left back, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk centrally, and either Dominik Szoboszlai or Joe Gomez on the right.
Midfield projection includes a double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. The arrangement aims to protect the defence and supply the attacking line.
The front three are likely to see Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo supporting lone striker Hugo Ekitike. Both Ekitike and Gravenberch were rested in the FA Cup and are expected to return to the starting XI.
From a strategic perspective, this setup prioritises width on the right and creative penetration through the centre. The data shows a clear trend: selection favours balance between defensive resilience and attacking variety.
Injury update and selection implications
The data shows a clear trend: selection favours balance between defensive resilience and attacking variety. Early indicators centre on two fitness issues that will shape the matchday squad.
Key updates: Frimpong is in the final stages of groin recovery. Medical staff report controlled progression through rehabilitation, with emphasis on finishing work and load management. Wataru Endo’s condition remains unspecified publicly; available signals from training footage and Slot’s comments point to an uncertain short-term outlook.
From a strategic perspective, Slot appears to be planning a short-term right-back solution while reserving a longer-term option should Endo’s layoff be prolonged. Squad decisions will prioritise match readiness and a tactical choice between stability and flexibility.
Injured
Players: Frimpong, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajcetic.
Predicted liverpool xi (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Szoboszlai (or Gomez), Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Selection will be confirmed after final fitness checks. The manager’s choice is likely to reflect immediate availability and the preferred tactical balance for the match. Monitoring will continue through the final training session and the official team announcement.
