Arne Slot provides update on Liverpool injuries as two players ruled out for Nottingham Forest match

Arne Slot provided an update on Liverpool’s squad ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest, revealing that the team will be without Joe Gomez and Darwin Nunez. Gomez is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained against West Ham United, while Nunez is suspended due to accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League this season.

“Quite far,” Slot said when asked about Gomez’s recovery. “He is definitely not with the team yet and Darwin is suspended. They are the ones we’ll miss tomorrow.” The Liverpool boss also noted that it could still be a while before Gomez is back in action, as the center-back is not yet close to rejoining full team training.

While Dominik Szoboszlai had been ill recently, the Hungarian midfielder made his return over the weekend, playing 45 minutes against Accrington.

When questioned about Nottingham Forest‘s potential title challenge, Slot said, “You can judge the table best at the halfway point. If Forest is up there with us, then they definitely are a team that is in competition with us and the other teams.” He praised their recent performances, acknowledging that they “deserved to be treated like this” given their results. Reflecting on their previous match against Forest, Slot said, “They showed in retrospect what a good team they are.” He also recalled how Liverpool‘s loss to Forest, where Virgil van Dijk played his 100th home game, was a tough one to take, but with hindsight, it was less surprising considering Forest’s solid game plan.

Looking ahead to the match, Slot emphasized the challenge Forest will pose, noting their current position in the Premier League and their impressive form.

In a deeper assessment of Forest’s rapid rise, Slot acknowledged the role money has played in their success. Since returning to the Premier League in 2022, Forest has spent roughly $263 million (£216m) on transfers, including signing 21 new players in their first summer window. Liverpool’s net spend in comparison was around $174 million (£144m). Slot pointed out that while Forest’s progress is commendable, it shouldn’t come as a total surprise given their financial backing, adding, “If you look at the amount of money they have spent it is perhaps not a complete surprise that they do well this season.”

When asked about the history between the two clubs, Slot recalled Liverpool‘s European success, saying, “I think it was 10 minutes when someone told me that it was ‘78/79 that Liverpool [won the European Cup] and then Forest two years and then Liverpool again.” He acknowledged Forest’s past dominance in English football but emphasized that they have since fallen into a period of rebuilding.

As Liverpool gears up for their match, Slot is well aware of the task ahead, stating, “It is going to be a very difficult challenge tomorrow to get a result.”