Arne Slot has hinted at a second successive start for Joe Gomez after his decision to withdraw the defender in the defeat at Man City.
With Conor Bradley sidelined for the rest of the season and Jeremie Frimpong fresh off another injury scare on international duty, Gomez was selected at right-back in the FA Cup.
It was his first start since the draw against Tottenham, which came amid a run of three appearances in the XI, and fresh off the back of a break over the international period.
While Liverpool were defensively inept, and Gomez was guilty of letting a runner slip by him, he did win the most duels (6/8) of any Red in the match, and he was subbed after 62 minutes.
The decision to replace the Englishman with Jeremie Frimpong was made in the knowledge of his fitness battles, but also with PSG in mind, Slot told TNT Sports.
“I took Joe Gomez out because usually he has shown, since I am here, that it is not always easy to play him twice for 90 minutes,” Slot explained.
“So, if we want to use him on Wednesday, then it is helpful that I took him out today.”
It suggests the 28-year-old is in the reckoning for his 15th start of the season ahead of Frimpong, with Milos Kerkez, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk all likely to retain their places.
It would be a third start in Liverpool’s last five European games for Gomez, whose longest place in the starting XI this season has extended just three games.
Arne Slot demands Liverpool players show ‘their quality’ vs. PSG
As for the challenge ahead against the reigning European champions, Slot made a peculiar statement saying, “It is not every season that you play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”
For him, it is true as he has never reached this stage before, but for Liverpool it should be the minimum required.
On the importance of the tie against PSG, he said: “Very big and very important because it is not every season that you play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“We are really looking forward to that, playing against a very good side again. We are looking forward to that, but it’s not the only objective we have.
“We want to qualify for the Champions League next season as well, so there is still a lot to play for.
“We have had a lot of setbacks and disappointments, but that is also part of being a football player and being a human being, and you have to be there and stand up when things are not so positive.
“Players that have shown so much quality in the past now have a fantastic chance to show that against PSG.”
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