Liverpool have been handed a timely boost with Joe Gomez returning to first-team training ahead of Friday night’s opener against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side head into the curtain-raiser looking to begin their title defence on the right note, but selection decisions will be influenced by injuries, suspensions, and players still building match fitness.
With several new signings in line for their league debuts, all eyes will be on Slot’s first teamsheet of the season. Here the latest team news.
Joe Gomez – back in training
Liverpool received a boost this week as Joe Gomez has returned to first-team training after missing the last two-and-a-half weeks. The defender sat out friendlies against AC Milan, Yokohama F. Marinos, Athletic Club, and the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace due to an achilles injury.
Gomez participated in both indoor and outdoor sessions on Wednesday at the AXA Training Centre, giving Slot a selection decision to make.
“I have to make a decision, he’s trained twice, he missed a lot of pre-season. There is a possibility that Joe will be on the bench but I have to look at the answers and who we’re going to take.”
Conor Bradley – race against time
Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley faces a fitness battle ahead of Friday. A minor injury limited his involvement in pre-season, causing him to miss the final friendly against Athletic Bilbao and the Community Shield.
Slot provided no update on Bradley’s status during his pre-match press conference, leaving his participation uncertain.
Jeremie Frimpong – set for debut
In the absence of Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to make his Premier League debut. The new signing has impressed during pre-season and is ready to slot into the right-back role if Bradley is unavailable.
Ryan Gravenberch – suspended
Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch will not feature against Bournemouth as he serves a one-match suspension.
The red card he received on the final day of last season against Crystal Palace means he misses the curtain-raiser, despite being back in training. Gravenberch also missed the Community Shield defeat to the same opposition following the birth of his daughter.
Alexis Mac Allister – managed minutes
Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister made a cameo in the Community Shield but missed his spot-kick in the penalty shootout. Pre-season saw his minutes carefully managed due to a lingering injury from the end of last season, which also caused him to miss the international break.
Slot acknowledged Mac Allister’s limited involvement in pre-season, but hinted that the midfielder could still play a role this weekend.
“Don’t forget we missed Mac Allister in parts of last season and barely played pre-season, only recently.”
How long he will feature on Friday remains to be seen.
Liverpool’s squad has undergone significant change over the summer. Luis Diaz and Darwin Núñez departed, while new arrivals, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, are expected to make their domestic debuts.
Slot’s side faces back-to-back Premier League tests after the opener, with a trip to St James Park to face Newcastle United and Arsenal visiting Anfield before the end of August.
