Injury update: Salah ruled out as Gomez doubtful for Brighton
Arne Slot has confirmed that salah will miss Liverpool’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion after suffering a muscle injury during Wednesday night’s Champions League victory at Anfield. Slot spoke at a pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre on Friday morning ET and said the injury makes Salah unavailable for the fixture. Joe Gomez remains a possibility off the bench but is not ready to start.
Salah and Gomez: Injury details
Slot told the media that Salah was forced off at Anfield in the second half of the Champions League game against Galatasaray and that “[it’s] unusual. As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, [he’s] not available for tomorrow. ” The head coach, Arne Slot, said he hoped the international break might help acceleration of recovery and referenced the player’s past habit of fast returns, noting “We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations. ” Slot set expectations that the short pause in fixtures could be decisive: “But it’s only two weeks when we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back. “
On Joe Gomez, Slot confirmed the defender was an unused substitute in midweek and that the staff had extended his involvement as far as possible. Slot said: “Joe was on the bench but he wasn’t able to come in. We tried to postpone it as far as we could. He already told me before the start of the game he didn’t feel good. I said, ‘OK, let’s wait to half-time [and] a miracle can happen – we might need you in extra-time. ‘ He might be available tomorrow but definitely not to start. “
Team changes and confirmed squad news
Slot confirmed lineup adjustments for the Brighton trip with Cody Gakpo set to come into the team in place of Salah. The manager also confirmed other selections: Jeremie Frimpong returns at right-back and Dominik Szoboszlai returns to a No10 role. In goal, Alisson Becker has pulled out of his national squad with a fresh issue and Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise for the match.
The immediate impact is clear: Salah will not travel to the match and will also miss Egypt’s upcoming friendlies, and Liverpool have reshuffled the matchday XI to cover his absence and address other fitness concerns in the group.
Quick context and what’s next
Slot made his remarks in a Friday morning ET press conference at the club training ground after Salah had been withdrawn late in the Champions League win over Galatasaray on Wednesday night ET. The manager framed the injury as a muscle problem that prevents Salah from featuring in tomorrow’s Premier League fixture.
Medical staff will monitor recovery during the international break and Liverpool will assess Salah at the end of that period; updates on salah and Gomez’s availability are expected when the squad reconvenes and further scans or treatment are completed.
