Liverpool faces 5 missing players vs Galatasaray despite defensive injury boost
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Alexander Isak has stepped up his recovery from a broken leg in recent weeks, but he won’t be available for a few more weeks yet.Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, a player well-versed when it comes to time spent nursing knocks on the sidelines, has increased the number of potential absentees on Wednesday to five.READ MORE: Andy Robertson has fierce answer to contract question as he responds to unhappy fansREAD MORE: Arne Slot admits to 'feeling pressure' as Liverpool boss sends message to starsThe defender missed Tuesday’s open training session ahead of the second leg at Anfield, and it’s unclear whether he will be an option for Arne Slot against Galatasaray.“Joe, we will decide tomorrow,” the Liverpool head coach said during his pre-match press conference. “He wasn't available for training today.
He had too much issues after our last game, although he had these issues already after the Galatasaray game.“He wasn't planned to play against Tottenham, but, unfortunately, Ibou [Konate] got discomfort in his hamstrings, so we couldn't take the risk of playing him.“That's why Joe had to play, and it has built up so much he is now a doubt for tomorrow. He is going to try tomorrow to see if he is available.”Gomez is an injury doubt ahead of the Galatasaray game(Image: 2026 Anadolu)Konate missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham, but Slot said there should be no issues with his involvement against Galatasaray on Wednesday.“He is, at this moment of time, [fully fit],” said the Dutchman.
If you play so many games with two days' rest in between, you cannot do a lot but he is declared completely fit.“He doesn’t feel discomfort anymore, and he is ready to start hopefully to fulfil 90 minutes or, if needed, even longer. Ready to start.”Isak was spotted training by himself on Tuesday as he continues his recuperation from a broken leg(Image: Getty Images)Slot also provided an update on Isak, who was seen running on the grass during Tuesday’s open training session, but the ex-Newcastle man has not yet progressed to ball work.“Alex is not available for tomorrow, but the fact you see him on the pitch tells you that he gets closer and closer to joining us again,” said Slot.“Not really [any timeframe on his return], but he will not be available for Saturday as well.“When you don't train with the team yet, you are not ready to play, and as well all know if you have done for months on the individual session, it is also a step up to train with the team, and when you train with the team again, it is quite a step up to playing in the Premier League or Champions League.”