Liverpool’s week has been filled with questions, frustration, and uncertainty. After the 4–1 defeat to PSV and ongoing pressure around Arne Slot’s future, many expected an intense training schedule.
Instead, the club has reportedly chosen a surprising move. As per Lewis Steele via Anything Liverpool, no Liverpool player will train on Friday, and that choice has sparked curiosity among fans wondering what it means for Sunday’s must-win clash against West Ham.
The twist comes at a time when up to 11 players could miss the trip to London, and the Reds’ season feels like it is shifting match by match.
The decision adds another layer to a week already filled with drama — and the reasons behind it show how tight the schedule has become.
Why no Friday training for Liverpool?
According to @LewisSteele, the squad and staff “will have a day off on Friday.” The players will complete recovery work on Thursday, then return to full training on Saturday before traveling to the capital.
The plan appears to be centered around rest and controlled preparation. With several players nursing injuries and many others showing fatigue, the club reportedly wants to maximize recovery before their most important game of the season so far.
In simple terms: Liverpool need fresh legs more than fresh drills. And with Slot under heavy pressure, every detail matters — even rest days.
Is this a risky move before a crucial game?
The decision will divide opinion. Some believe the extra break may help stabilize a squad struggling with confidence.
Others think missing a full training day before a Premier League match could backfire. For fans who love a pun — this move may either kick-start the season or leave Liverpool offside again.
But Liverpool are dealing with more than planning. They are dealing with a long and worrying injury list.
Why are so many players at risk of missing the game?
A mix of muscle problems, contact injuries, and ongoing rehab has left Slot with a shrinking squad. Key players are doubts. Others are confirmed out. And several did not train earlier this week, making the late-week schedule even more important.
The list is long — and both teams are dealing with absences.
Players who could miss West Ham vs Liverpool
| Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | Doubt – back issue |
| Conor Bradley | Liverpool | Out – muscular injury |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Liverpool | Out – hamstring |
| Giovanni Leoni | Liverpool | Out – ACL |
| Florian Wirtz | Liverpool | Doubt – missed sessions |
| Joe Gomez | Liverpool | Doubt – knee discomfort |
| Lukasz Fabianski | West Ham | Out – back injury |
| Konstantinos Mavropanos | West Ham | Doubt – thigh problem |
| Oliver Scarles | West Ham | Out – collarbone surgery |
| Crysencio Summerville | West Ham | Doubt – calf issue |
| Niclas Füllkrug | West Ham | Doubt – thigh muscle |
The final list could still change depending on Saturday’s session — and Slot’s press conference may bring more clarity.
Can Slot survive the pressure?
The manager’s future remains a heavy topic. While results have created anxiety, reports say the club hierarchy still backs him. Even Slot admitted after PSV:
“I think it is a shock for everyone. For the players, for the journalists in here, for me, for everyone.”
The West Ham game may not decide his job alone, but it will shape the narrative around the coming weeks. West Ham have momentum. Liverpool do not. And fans know the London Stadium has not been kind to them recently.
What Anfield Home thinks?
The day-off strategy is bold, but not reckless. With injuries piling up, recovery may be the smartest play before a high-pressure match.
Liverpool need calm minds and strong legs more than intense sessions. But for Slot, rest days will not buy time — only results will.