Liverpool handed Joe Gomez injury boost just hours after Arne Slot update

The defender has been ruled out of this weekend's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Arne Slot will be hopeful to welcome him back against Leeds United on New Year's Day

Joe Gomez was seen back in training as he recovers from injury

Liverpool was handed a surprise boost on Tuesday ahead of the weekend clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Joe Gomez pictured back in club training.

The defender missed last week’s win over Tottenham Hotspur following the hamstring injury he sustained seven days prior against Brighton & Hove Albion. Arne Slot has already ruled Gomez out of contention for Saturday’s encounter against Wolves, but just hours later, he was pictured working alongside his Liverpool teammates in the gym in the latest batch of training images released by the club.

Gomez was not seen among the players training outside on the grass, indicating his recovery is ongoing. However, his inclusion in the squad gym session suggests he is not far from a return to first-team action.

Being back in time to face Leeds United on New Year’s Day would be a welcome relief for Slot, who only has five senior defenders definitely available this weekend.

Conor Bradley is a doubt, while long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni is set to miss out alongside Gomez.

Jeremie Frimpong’s return from injury should allay some of Slot’s concerns at right-back, especially with Dominik Szoboszlai suspended against Wolves. Gomez had started four of the last five in that role before he sustained his hamstring injury against Brighton.

Gomez was replaced in the first half against Brighton(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

The 28-year-old’s return would also help increase center-back options, with Slot only able to call upon Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at present. Youngster Wellity Lucky has been named on the bench for the last three games, a testament to the extent of the injury crisis at Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Stefan Bajcetic was also pictured with the group during the latest training images. The Spaniard, who last played 19 months ago, has been working to regain his fitness levels for several months.

Slot chose to keep the academy graduate around the first-team squad this summer rather than send him out on loan, but has so far been unable to call upon Bajcetic.

Bajcetic trained with the first team on Tuesday(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)

The midfielder was a favorite under Jurgen Klopp and played 10 Premier League matches between December 2022 and November 2023, before his progress was stalled due to injury.

It is unclear whether he could be an option against Wolves.

Elsewhere, right-back Calvin Ramsay took part in the full session. The Scottish defender has been named on the bench for the last two matches and played in October’s Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace.

His inclusion on Saturday seems likely, with up to eight senior players ruled out for the clash against Wolves.