Arne Slot provides confusing Joe Gomez injury update after Liverpool substitution vs PSG
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesJoe GomezDefender Joe Gomez was introduced from the bench at half-time but was substituted off again in the second half as Liverpool looked to break the deadlock at Anfield against PSGArne Slot explained why Joe Gomez was replaced in the Champions League clash against PSGArne Slot has explained his unusual decision to replace Joe Gomez just 22 minutes after being introduced from the substitutes’ bench in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.The defender came on at half-time in place of Jeremie Frimpong during the second leg at Anfield, but made way for Rio Ngumoha in the 67th minute. As the teenager began readying himself on the sidelines, Amazon Prime commentator Jon Champion announced he was coming on in place of Alexis Mac Allister.However, it was Gomez who made way and was spotted chatting animatedly on the bench after his withdrawal.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney raises huge Liverpool concern as Arne Slot's players 'lack ideas'READ MORE: Liverpool star 'not pulling his weight' as Arne Slot forced to face awkward realityThe 28-year-old has struggled with injuries this season, and Slot has referenced on several occasions how he is managing Gomez’s minutes.Asked to explain why he replaced the former Charlton man against PSG, Slot provided a contradictory response.“He [Gomez] wasn't injured but I wanted to make a different substitution and then he said to me: 'I'm not convinced if I can keep sprinting.
So, I think it's better to go off and not to take the risk.'“So yeah, then I think that would've been my fourth substitution, so then to keep someone on that might get injured is never a smart thing. I had to change the substitution.”Slot explained why he replaced Gomez in the second half(Image: (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))Meanwhile, in addition to the disappointing result, Liverpool’s mood was also damped by what appeared to be a serious injury suffered by Hugo Ekitike.The forward slipped midway through the first half and was in obvious discomfort.
He was stretchered off the pitch and even received assistance from the PSG players after the unfortunate incident.Reports in France have indicated that he suffered a long-term Achilles injury that will prevent him from playing at this summer’s World Cup.Ekitike appeared to suffer a serious injury in Liverpool's Champions League tie against PSGAsked immediately after the game about Ekitike, Slot said: “I think we all saw in the video and the clips that it doesn't look good.“[It was] 88 minutes until tonight we could play with Florian [Wirtz], Alex [Isak] and Hugo. We added 27, 28 to that tonight and I would be surprised if we can add a few more minutes to that this season.Isak will likely start up front when the Reds take on Everton this weekend, and will likely have to shoulder much of the responsibility in final weeks of the season.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCJoe GomezArne Slot