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Liverpool boss Arne Slot is already facing injury problems with just over a week to go until the new Premier League season gets underway.
The Reds continued their preparations for the new campaign with a double-header against Athletic Club at Anfield on Monday as they looked to get more vital minutes into their legs before getting their next quest for silverware underway.
Following the games against their Bilbao opponents, they head to Wembley to face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday, before the defense of their title begins against Bournemouth on August 15 - although Slot could be without two players already for both encounters.
The Liverpool head coach was without four senior players against Athletic on Monday, with captain Virgil van Dijk among the absentees as he missed out through illness.
Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez were also absent through injury, while Alisson Becker is still in Brazil after his wife underwent surgery, with the goalkeeper having left the recent tour of Asia early to return home.
Explaining their absences ahead of facing Athletic, Slot played down fears over Van Dijk and Alisson potentially missing the start of the new season, although there are major doubts over Bradley and Gomez being fit in time.
“Almost all of them are fit or stayed fit,” Slot said on his squad.
“Unfortunately, Virgil is sick today. We miss out on Alisson. Joe Gomez is not there, Conor Bradley is not there.
“But until now we have stayed fit as we wanted to be and new signings came in so they got adjusted to what we want. Looking forward first of all to today and then to the next weeks.”
Asked whether any of the four players he mentioned could miss the Community Shield or start of the Premier League season, Slot responded: “Virgil normally not. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, it’s going to be tight. Alisson will be back in time as well.”
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool NEEDS to sign a new defender quickly. It sounds like Van Dijk should be back soon enough, but going into the new season with only him and Ibrahima Konate as the only fit center-backs available feels like far too big a risk.
Not only that, but Bradley's latest knock is a concern. He's had more than his fair share of injuries since breaking through, and having the options in defense further depleted is not ideal. Fingers crossed he and Gomez can return soon.
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