Liverpool injury round-up with three key stars out for Man City clash

Jurgen Klopp reviews Liverpool's win against Rangers at Ibrox

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Liverpool go into Sunday’s crunch Premier League showdown with Manchester City off the back of a huge 7-1 win over Rangers in Europe, but a long injury list won’t fill Jurgen Klopp with much confidence. The Sky Blues are in rampant form, despite a goalless draw with Copenhagen in midweek, and Express Sport takes you through seven Reds stars who are poised to miss out at Anfield…

Luis Diaz

As one of Liverpool’s most lively attackers, the Colombian will be a big miss against City. Diaz was substituted in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal last weekend and supporters were given a worrying sign when he was spotted leaving the Emirates in a knee brace. 

After the game, Klopp confirmed that the injury was ‘not good’ and with his expected return date set for December, Diaz is poised to miss every Reds match in the lead-up to the World Cup. 

JUST IN: Arsenal icon Ray Parlour urges club to act now and avoid Robin van Persie repeat

Joel Matip

Defence has been a weak point for Liverpool this term, with Virgil van Dijk failing to live up to his own lofty standards. Matip has been a reliable figure under Klopp but the Cameroonian was another player to be struck down with injury against Arsenal. 

A calf strain saw him sit out the huge win over Rangers on Wednesday and it seems likely that he won’t be back in time to face City. Thankfully for Klopp, Ibrahima Konate’s return has proven timely but he’ll be thrown in at the deep end against City marksman Erling Haaland. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Yet another casualty from the loss in north London, Alexander-Arnold rolled his ankle in a nasty-looking incident that kept him out of Liverpool’s Champions League win. Much like Matip, it’s expected that he won’t return in time for City’s trip to Merseyside. 

The right-back’s England World Cup spot could also be in jeopardy, although it was already due to Gareth Southgate’s apparent reluctance to select him over the likes of Reece James and Kyle Walker. Joe Gomez is set to fill in against City after a solid display against Rangers, although he doesn’t quite have Alexander-Arnold’s wicked delivery in his repertoire. 

DON’T MISS…
Man Utd hero Schoels ‘goes full Roy Keane’ as he plays down Omonia keeper’s heroics
Chelsea owner Boehly has ‘clear favourite’ between Bellingham and Rice
Arsenal’s four best players vs Bodo/Glimt including two usual suspects

Arthur Melo

With three key players all sidelined, Klopp is also short in terms of peripheral stars with Arthur a long-term absentee due to a training injury. He has only played a handful of minutes since completing a deadline-day loan move from Juventus with match fitness a major issue. 

The Brazilian’s stint at Anfield has gone from bad to worse with surgery not only set to keep him out for the City showdown, but also every game until after the New Year. With each passing week, Liverpool exercising their permanent £33million buy option appears less likely. 

Naby Keita

The next in a long line of midfield casualties, Keita hasn’t played a single minute in the Premier League this season. His last appearance came in a 3-1 win over City in the Community Shield. 

Times have changed and Haaland has found his feet since then, however, with City going into the clash as odds-on favourites. Keita is expected to return from a knee issue later this month but Pep Guardiola’s visit to Anfield will probably come too soon. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The nature of the former Arsenal star’s stop-start career shows no sign of changing, with a win over Crystal Palace in July his last outing. A thigh injury has kept him sidelined ever since and he isn’t expected to return in time for Sunday’s game. 

Like Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the mend and Liverpool fans could see him back on the pitch towards the end of the month. 

Curtis Jones

Another midfielder nursing a long-term issue, Jones sustained a calf injury during the Community Shield win over City. Having made solid progress in his recovery, there is the slightest chance that he could make it back in time for Sunday but Klopp may not be keen to take the risk. 

The German has generally opted for two holding midfielders in recent weeks with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara all ready and raring to go, meaning Jones could be consigned to another week watching in from the outside. 

Source: Read Full Article