Liverpool are preparing for one of their most intense training sessions of the season, with manager Arne Slott reportedly planning a high-stakes attacker-versus-defender drill to fine-tune his squad ahead of the crucial Champions League clash in midweek.
According to a reliable X source, the spotlight will be firmly on Joe Gomez, who will partner Virgil van Dijk in central defense during training.
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for Liverpool, with recent defensive failures causing concern within the coaching staff.
Slott and his backroom team are keen to test how Gomez and Van Dijk work as a pair, especially after Ibrahima Konate’s inconsistent form in recent matches.
Arne Slott ready to make changes at Liverpool
The Frenchman’s performances have been under the spotlight, and Gomez’s strong performance in training could mean he could start in place of Konate on Wednesday night.
Gomez is slowly regaining his confidence after years of injury setbacks.
His versatility, able to play at right-back or in central defence, makes him a valuable team member.
However, this training session offers him the perfect opportunity to re-establish himself as the Reds’ first-choice centre-back.
Liverpool’s defense has been far from its best in recent weeks, conceding an alarming number of goals from set-pieces and transitions.
Virgil van Dijk needs a reliable partner in defense
Van Dijk remains a commanding presence, but his lack of coordination around him has occasionally been exposed.
Slot’s emphasis on defensive training is part of a wider plan to restore balance between the backline and attacking unit, and is particularly important for a team seeking consistency in both the Premier League and Europe.
Gomez, who had been linked with a move away from the club, impressed the staff with his fitness and attitude in training sessions.
If he can show strong communication and positional awareness alongside Van Dijk, Slott could form the perfect partnership to anchor the team in the next games.
With Liverpool slipping into form and falling down the Premier League table and even out of the top half of the table, Slott must make some tough decisions to change the trajectory of the season before it’s too late.
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