Liverpool got the job done against FC Midtjylland on Tuesday night but their 2-0 victory in the Champions League came at a considerable cost.
With Virgil Van Dijk ruled out long-term due to an ACL injury and Joel Matip also sidelined with a muscular issue, Jurgen Klopp already had an injury crisis to contend with in defence.
That was exacerbated in midweek when Fabinho, standing in for Van Dijk and Matip against the Danish champions, had to be substituted after suffering a hamstring injury.
Jordan Henderson was also taken off at half-time following a reckless challenge by Jens Cajuste while worrying footage of Mohamed Salah hobbling into the dressing room emerged after full-time.
Here is the latest Liverpool injury news ahead of the Premier League match against West Ham on Saturday.
Liverpool injury news
Fabinho‘s prospects of starting against the Hammers at Anfield seem remote given he pulled up after sprinting with no opposition player around him.
Klopp was pessimistic after the game, saying: “[It was] exactly the last thing we needed! I don’t know, he felt his hamstring and that’s not good.
“He didn’t feel it that much, he said he could have played on but with no sprints anymore, which doesn’t help. We have to do a scan and wait and see, but it’s not good.”
He added: “We’re doing really well but it’s a shock for the team because now we have to sort that injury. It was a tough night. It’s a bit like in a marriage, there are good and bad times.
“It’s not a bad time but it’s a tricky time. 100 per cent we have to stick together and fight harder and that’s what the boys did tonight.”
If Fabinho is unable to play this weekend, youngsters Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Billy Kouemetio could be in contention to partner Joe Gomez.
Klopp was more positive in his assessment of Henderson claiming that the decision to withdraw him at the interval had been pre-planned.
“First, Hendo said at half-time he wants to play on,” he said. “Before the game I’d decided already we have to share it – 45 and 45 – and all the rest would have been ridiculous.
“Hendo said at half-time, ‘No, boss, I can go on’ and then in these moments you have to be strong to yourself because I didn’t want to lose him, actually.
“We made the change, Gini [Wijnaldum] did really well and for both, I think it helped that they played only 45.”
Moments after Anders Dreyer has missed a glorious chance to equalise, Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Salah was sent tumbling to the ground by a slide tackle from Paulinho.
The Egyptian picked himself up and slammed home the resulting spot-kick but was seen limping in the tunnel afterwards. Klopp did not discuss Salah after the game but may be asked about his condition during his press conference on Friday.
Klopp was also coy over Matip‘s fitness after the Cameroonian defender missed a third match in a row with an unspecified muscular problem. When asked whether he would be available to face West Ham, Klopp responded: “I don’t know, we have to see.”
Neither Thiago Alcantara nor Naby Keita were in the Liverpool squad Midtjylland with Klopp stating that the club would take things “day by day” over the pair.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained during pre-season, but Kostas Tsimikas could return to training this week.
Van Dijk is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury which requires surgery during the Merseyside derby.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3mIxSAr
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