Arne Slot has delivered another worrying injury update at Liverpool. He also made it clear whether he will unleash a new formation to solve their growing problems.
Liverpool head to West Ham under real pressure. They were torn apart 4-1 by PSV in midweek. That defeat made it nine losses in twelve games. The mood around Anfield has turned tense. Every word from Slot now feels important.
Arne Slot’s Press Conference
In his latest press conference, Arne Slot confirmed fresh concerns. Several key players have been battling fitness issues. Alisson, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Joe Gomez have all spent time on the sidelines. Liverpoolโs form has dipped with them missing.
Slot did offer a small positive. He said Alisson has trained with the team again. The Brazilian could return for the trip to London. Wirtz is close too. He is due to complete his last rehab session and may rejoin full training. Ekitike also took part in a recovery session. The staff do not think his problem is serious. Gomez is progressing but still needs to be managed carefully.
Even with that better news, Arne Slot sounded cautious. He knows these players are not yet at full sharpness. He spoke about the tight schedule and the lack of time on the training ground. That, he said, makes big changes โalmost impossibleโ right now.
The Formation Question
That comment goes straight to the heart of the formation question. Fans and pundits have called for something new. They want a different system after the recent run of defeats. Many have suggested an extra defender or a switch to three at the back. Others want a second striker or a No.10 behind the forward.
Slot understands the noise. But he pushed back. He explained that his squad is built for the current setup. Liverpool have worked on that structure since pre-season. Changing it completely, with so many games and so many injuries, would be risky. He insisted the focus must be on doing their existing plan better, not ripping it up.
That does not mean he will not adjust anything. Slot hinted at โsmall tweaksโ rather than a brand new shape. That could mean a slightly deeper midfield line. It could mean a more conservative full-back on one side. He may also use certain players in different roles. But the core structure will stay the same.
His reasoning is simple. With limited training time, players need clarity. If he asks them to switch to a totally new system in a few days, mistakes will follow. Right now, Liverpool cannot afford more chaos. They need stability and confidence.
Limited Options
The injury situation feeds into that. When key men are either just back or still out, the coach has fewer options. He cannot rotate heavily. He cannot test many different ideas. Slot admitted he has often looked at his bench and seen youth players and goalkeepers, but not many senior outfield choices. That reality shapes his decisions.
So Liverpool fans got a mixed message. On one hand, there was relief that Alisson, Wirtz, Ekitike and Gomez are edging closer. On the other, there was the clear statement that a radical new formation is unlikely. Slot will โconsider everythingโ, but only within the limits of what his squad and schedule allow.
The trip to West Ham now looks crucial. A positive result could calm the mood and buy Slot time. Another defeat would increase the calls for drastic change. For now, though, Liverpoolโs head coach is sticking to his principles. He wants improvements from the same basic system, not a full reset. The injury list may be shrinking, but the pressure on him is not.
