Arne Slot gives Liverpool injury update on Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez after fresh hamstring concern

Arne Slot has explained Joe Gomez’s absence from training ahead of Liverpool’s showdown against Galatasaray.

The Reds head into the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie trailing 1-0 after defeat in Istanbul last week. And with Liverpool being held to a 1-1 draw against ailing Tottenham Hotspur, pressure is beginning to grow on Slot’s position as head coach. The defending Premier League champions are just fifth in the table.

Passage in the quarter-finals of the Champions League will keep dreams of silverware alive. But with Alexander Isak (broken leg), Wataru Endo (ankle), Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni (both knee), Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic (both hamstring) all sidelined, Slot again has reduced options.

In addition, Gomez did not train with Liverpool on the eve of the Galatasaray encounter at Anfield. The defender has played 90 minutes in the previous three games, although he has had his well-documented injury problems over the past few years.

Slot is hopeful that Gomez will be able to make the squad, though. The Liverpool head coach said: “Joe we will decide tomorrow. 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.

“It wasn't planned for him to play against Tottenham but unfortunately Ibou [Konate] got discomfort in his hamstring so we couldn't take the risk of playing him. that's why Joe had to play and it has built up so much so now he is a bit of a doubt for tomorrow. He's going to try tomorrow to see if he is available."

On Konate’s fitness, Slot added: “He is, at this moment of time. The day after the game is recovery, if you say 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. That's what we have to find out tomorrow, ready to start.”

Isak was spotted undergoing a solo session at the AXA Training Centre as he continues his recovery. However, Slot has refused to but a date on when the £125 million British record signing may make a return to full training.

Slot said: “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.

"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."