Liverpool\u2019s first trip on the road in 2026 arrives with the usual underlying questions, even though the league table still places us well within contention.
\nThis afternoon\u2019s visit to Craven Cottage comes with the growing sense that managing the squad \u2014 not just chasing form \u2014 is becoming a defining feature of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Joe Gomez has returned to training after missing three matches with a muscle issue, but Wataru Endo is still unavailable as he recovers from an ankle injury.
\n\u201cI expect Joe to train with us [on Friday], but Wata isn\u2019t there yet,\u201d the head coach confirmed.
\nMohamed Salah remains away on AFCON duty, while Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni continue their long-term recoveries.<\/p>\n
Slot explains Liverpool rotation before Fulham<\/p>\n
Slot also spoke about the decision to withdraw Florian Wirtz during the scoreless draw with Leeds United \u2014 a call that divided opinion among supporters.
\n\u201cTwo days after the Wolves game, his hamstring was still bothering him,\u201d the 47-year-old said. \u201cThat\u2019s why he couldn\u2019t train and only returned [on Wednesday].\u201d<\/p>\n
With a heavy schedule already in the legs, the Premier League winner made it clear that keeping players fit is the overriding concern.
\n\u201cWith so many matches coming up, it was simply too big a risk for me,\u201d Slot explained.
\nHe referenced the lack of experience among the substitutes and the importance of protecting players who have endured \u201csix or seven months of continuous football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cody Gakpo\u2019s appearance was described as part of that broader strategy, rather than any criticism of Wirtz\u2019s display.
\nSlot also highlighted positives from the draw, pointing to the clean sheet and the fact Ibrahima Konat\u00e9 avoided a suspension.<\/p>\n
Why fine margins matter for Liverpool<\/p>\n
While the Leeds result extended our unbeaten run, it once again sparked debate about attacking fluency without Salah.
\nFormer Reds Michael Owen and Steve McManaman both centred their analysis on his absence, suggesting the team\u2019s shape suffers without the No.11.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s no structure when he\u2019s not there,\u201d McManaman said, adding that players end up drifting out of position.<\/p>\n
These discussions come alongside continued uncertainty surrounding Harvey Elliott\u2019s future, with efforts to bring him back to Anfield reportedly being blocked in puzzling fashion.<\/p>\n
The overall picture is clear: Liverpool remain tough to beat, competitive, and resilient.
\nBut as another demanding run of fixtures looms, Slot\u2019s comments point to a key reality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Liverpool\u2019s first trip on the road in 2026 arrives with the usual underlying questions, even though the league table still places us well within contention. This afternoon\u2019s visit to Craven Cottage comes with the growing sense that managing the squad \u2014 not just chasing form \u2014 is becoming a defining feature of the campaign. Joe …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":57301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_1006.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=57300"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57302,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57300\/revisions\/57302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/57301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=57300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=57300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplbanter.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=57300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}