Liverpool left this weekend with more questions than answers.
The reds suffered a shock defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup on Sunday. Liverpool have now been knocked out of the competition. Arne Slot was not happy with the performance from his team. The reds rested key players and started a heavily rotated lineup on Sunday. Trey Nyoni and James McConnell were among the young players that featured in the game.
Ryan Hardie scored a penalty early in the second half, which ended up being the only goal of the game. Liverpool had a total of 11 shots in the second, and it took brilliant saves from Plymouth’s keeper to win the game. Sunday was the reds’ third defeat of 2025.
Liverpool will not set their focus on the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Liverpool boss confirms setbacks
Credit: Imago Images
Joe Gomez was taken off just 10 minutes into the Plymouth game. The defender had been out for weeks and only returned to the squad recently. Before Sunday, Joe Gomez had played just 876 minutes this season. He had only made 11 starts out of a possible 17 games. This means the defender has been available for less than half of Liverpool’s total games played this season.
Arne Slot explained why Gomez was taken off quickly:
“I am not too sure. I am not too sure if it was the same leg, but I haven’t had time to ask him. It was clear, I think we all know which moment he felt a bit insecure about [it] because he didn’t sprint back fully.
“Then he said, ‘I am not 100 per cent sure and I am afraid if I make one extra sprint things will go wrong.’
“It’s not torn I assume, but it didn’t feel good for him.”
Slot also indirectly revealed that Curtis Jones is also dealing with a knock. That was the reason why the midfielder was on the bench for 90minutes despite Liverpool needing a goal.
“That was a bit of a blow because Curtis Jones was on the bench, but he came to me this morning and said, ‘I don’t think I am fully recovered yet’ as well after the training session of yesterday.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold has yet to return to the first team since his injury against Bournemouth. Arne Slot mentioned last week, that the club will not risk him and will only play him when fit. Trent has missed the last two games against Spurs and Plymouth. Liverpool face Everton on Wednesday, and the defender is still uncertain to play.
