Liverpool team news leaks as Reds without Fabinho vs Burnley after stars father dies

Klopp 'can't wait' for Liverpool to play in front of full Anfield

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Liverpool will face Burnley without one of their top midfielders, Fabinho, after the unfortunate death of his father this week. That is according to reports that indicate the player will be left out on compassionate grounds. The club have sent tributes to the Brazilian’s family in the wake of his loss, while Jurgen Klopp must decide who will feature for the Reds in the 27-year-old’s absence.

Fabinho came off the bench for Liverpool’s routine 3-0 victory over Norwich on the Premier League’s opening weekend.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started the encounter, three midfielders who were far from nailed-on starters last season.

That trio, along with Harvey Elliott, could be set for an increase in their game time after the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to PSG.

To make Klopp’s decision more difficult, both Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara have returned to match fitness and could be in line to feature, according to BT Sport.

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Curtis Jones has also recovered from a concussion and is a youngster who Klopp rates highly after the 20-year-old’s breakthrough season last time out.

When everyone is fit, Fabinho is generally considered the prime candidate to play in the holding role.

The Brazilian made 30 Premier League appearances last campaign, despite being hampered by injury.

In his absence, Klopp has a selection conundrum on his hands for Saturday’s lunch-time encounter at Anfield.

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The German will soon have Andy Robertson back in contention at left-back however, according to The Athletic. Kostas Tsimikas is still expected to start there against the Clarets though.

Burnley themselves will be playing with a point to prove, after dropping all three against Brighton following a spirited second-half comeback by the south coast side.

If they are to ensure survival, those kind of encounters need to be seen off, while they may be buoyed by the fact that they can rock up to Anfield with nothing to lose.

In a similar vein, if Liverpool are to ensure their spot in this season’s title race, they will have to make sure these kind of routine home fixtures are dealt with clinically.

Big spenders Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are certainly expected to do so, and Liverpool have had a quiet summer in comparison.

The £36million signing of Ibrahima Konate was sewn up all the way back in May, although there have been murmurs of a final foray back into the market.

For an ambitious move, it would serve them well to make a statement against Burnley, rack up two wins from two and demonstrate their title intentions for the season.

Unfortunately for Klopp, he will have to face that task without one of his key midfielders.

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