Arne Slot can avoid new Liverpool injury crisis by turning to under the radar option

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa, the Dutchman was asked whether he had considered fielding Gomez at right-back in a bid to solve his side’s ongoing defensive frailties.And while Slot conceded he was open to adapting his tactics when required, he insisted he was yet to see any reason to change his current approach. "It does go against my beliefs,” he said.“But I have won games in the past - we can talk about (Manchester) City away last season - that went against my beliefs, but it was necessary to play it over there like that in the second half.READ MORE: Harvey Elliott return highlights transfer problem for Liverpool boss Arne SlotREAD MORE: Liverpool clash with Arsenal moved as Premier League confirm Boxing Day decision"I would be more than open to adapt in certain situations.

Consequently, Slot used the defender as an example when explaining his decision to name a much-changed side for the midweek loss to Crystal Palace in the League Cup."Everybody can have [their] opinion about it but with the squad we have - maybe 15, 16 first-team players available - this is the choice I've made," he said after the final whistle. "People all of a sudden think we have 25 players available but we mainly have 20 players then we have four injuries."I only have one right full-back, Conor Bradley, as an example, and every time I had to play him twice in three days or three times in seven days [last season], it led to him... that I had to take him off with a hamstring injury or something else.

Liverpool do at least have one further alternative at right-back if needed - Calvin Ramsay.The Scotland international made his first Reds appearance for three years against Crystal Palace in midweek, and was his side’s star performer on a difficult night as he earned the praise of Slot in the process. I don't know if I said it over here but [in] the first half-hour, I think we had better chances than them actually and he was part of that.