Jurgen Klopp Was Compelled To Implement 5 Alterations To The Liverpool Lineup As The Injury Predicament Worsens.
Jurgen Klopp faces several new injury concerns ahead of Liverpool’s match against Luton Town on Wednesday.
The Reds secured a 4-1 victory away at Brentford on Saturday, with goals from Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo. However, they suffered the loss of both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota to injury in the first half, and their Uruguayan striker was also withdrawn at half-time as a precaution.
Prior to their trip to the capital, Liverpool received another setback when Alisson Becker injured his hamstring in training at the AXA Training Centre on Friday. With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Thiago Alcantara already sidelined and ruled out of the clash with Luton, Klopp’s squad is facing significant depletion.
Therefore, with three more players added to Liverpool’s injury list at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Defensive reshuffle
Caoimhin Kelleher is poised to remain in goal as a replacement for the injured Alisson, while Virgil van Dijk will lead the team. Considering Ibrahima Konate’s limited capacity to play three matches in a week due to his history of injuries, Klopp might opt to introduce Jarell Quansah and reserve the Frenchman for the League Cup final.
Similarly, Joe Gomez could enter the starting lineup if Klopp opts for rotation and has the flexibility to play in any position across the back four. Primarily operating as a full-back, he could potentially replace either Conor Bradley or Andy Robertson, with Kostas Tsimikas also being a viable option for the left-back position.
Jones’ Replacement
Liverpool is expected to make a necessary change in midfield following Jones’ departure due to a leg injury in the first half against Brentford. Ryan Gravenberch stepped in for the midfielder during the match, but Harvey Elliott is also a potential candidate to fill in. Wataru Endo will continue in the number six role, with academy prospects James McConnell and Bobby Clark available as alternatives.
Salah’s Inclusion
Having scored a goal and provided an assist upon his return from a hamstring injury, Mohamed Salah is likely to start in the lineup against Luton. However, Klopp’s forward trio may already be set given the injuries sustained at Brentford. Klopp acknowledged the seriousness of Diogo Jota’s knee injury, with the Portuguese player leaving the stadium on crutches. While Darwin Nunez was substituted as a precaution due to a knock, Liverpool is unlikely to risk him unnecessarily. Consequently, Cody Gakpo is expected to start in the center after his goal and assist as a substitute against Brentford. Elliott provides an additional attacking option, and Kaide Gordon or Lewis Koumas may be called upon as further attacking reinforcements from the bench.