Newsnow Liverpool brings you the latest Liverpool injury news and return dates as Alexis Mac Allister adds to the Reds’ injury woes, with seven other players also doubtful for Arsenal’s upcoming match at Anfield.
Injuries persist for Liverpool, casting doubts over the availability of Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota, and Andy Robertson against Arsenal. The Reds and Arsenal gear up for a pivotal clash, aiming to secure the top spots in the Premier League by Christmas. Jurgen Klopp’s team showcased their strength with a 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.
Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott displayed notable performances, boosting team morale. Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah stands out in the absence of Joel Matip, further solidifying his position.
Liverpool came under scrutiny after their failure to defeat Manchester United last Sunday. The Red Devils displayed strong resilience, resulting in a goalless draw. Consequently, they ceded the top position to Arsenal, who secured a 2-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion at home.
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has been contending with a surge in injury concerns at Anfield. He voiced his concerns, suggesting that some may be underestimating the bad impact these injuries have had on his team’s performance.
In a positive development leading up to the match against West Ham, there were encouraging updates concerning Ryan Gravenberch’s hamstring injury. The Dutch player had to exit the Manchester United game prematurely, but assistant coach Pep Lijnders clarified that the decision was influenced by fatigue. As a result, Gravenberch was rested during the subsequent victory over West Ham.
Here is the Latest Liverpool Injury News and Return Dates
Ryan Gravenberch
Ahead of the West Ham’s visit, Lijnders shared optimistic updates about Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman has made a strong impression since joining from Bayern Munich on deadline day. This move came after a challenging time for him in Germany.
Lijnders said: “We thought there was really something, he came off during the game and you saw immediately when he came off what that did to the team as well, he was playing really well.
“Especially against these man-marking sides he plays unbelievable. But he had a scan and it’s only DOMS, which is fatigue, so that’s a really good thing. He will train hopefully today, let’s see where he is. We have to be careful of course because that’s a sign. So that’s a good one.”
Alexis Mac Allister
The Liverpool assistant manager has revealed that Alexis Mac Allister’s injury is more severe than initially anticipated, sidelining him until January.
The incident occurred during the second half of their 2-0 victory over Sheffield United in early December. Mac Allister was involved in a collision with two Sheffield United players, resulting in a deep cut on his right leg.
“Alexis is out of course. He is a player we miss,” he told reporters. “You see that sometimes in a game is really rushed and he is a player who is really calm.
“We miss a few boys but with Wataru stepping up, with Ryan, Curt, Harvey, Dom, it’s all good. It will go into the New Year, but we play January 1st. So let’s see.”
Joel Matip
Liverpool’s defender Joel Matip is in the process of recuperating from a recent surgical procedure. This intervention was necessitated by an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained. At 32, Matip finds himself in the concluding months of his contract with Anfield. Due to this injury setback, it appears probable that he will be absent for the remainder of the season.
During the 70th minute of the intense match against Fulham, Matip encountered distress on the Anfield pitch. This occurred following an incident away from the main action of the game.
“It’s an ACL, ruptured, so that’s what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. Very unfortunate,” Klopp said.
Andy Robertson
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is set to remain off the field until January. He sustained a shoulder injury while representing Scotland in international duty. Following the incident, the Tartan Army captain underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder. Since the surgery, Robertson has been absent from play, missing Liverpool’s commendable performance in the Premier League and Scotland’s triumphant qualification for Euro 2024. Nonetheless, there are anticipations that he will be back in action with the first team come the New Year.
“I’m getting there, slowly and surely,” said the defender in November. “Surgery was a success which was the main thing, no complications from it or anything like that.
“It’s so far so good, three weeks since my surgery now so everything is progressing well, I have just got to take it bit by bit and week by week.
“Everything has gone well up to this point and hopefully that continues. Hopefully, before we know it I’ll be back on the grass.”
Diogo Jota
Pep Lijnders has admitted that Liverpool are being particularly cautious with Diogo Jota following his hamstring injury. Since the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Jota has been sidelined and unable to play.
On Tuesday, December 19, Lijnders revealed that Jota, who is 27 years old, has resumed ball exercises. However, the team is proceeding with carefulness regarding his condition.
“Diogo is doing ball work on the pitch so that is getting closer and closer,” he said. “But always with hamstring injuries you have to be careful, we always say when they come back give them another two or three days for sure.”
Ben Doak
Ben Doak has sustained an injury setback at Anfield during a recent under-21s match against Chelsea. Pep Lijnders has stated that the skilled Scot will need surgery due to a tear in his lateral meniscus.
This injury comes at an unfortunate time for Doak, who had been increasingly involved with the first-team, making appearances in both the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
Lijnders further added that Doak is expected to face a prolonged absence from the pitch.
“That’s not a good one. He teared his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery.
“That one will take [a] longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. He can take time and we will wait for him.”
Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool’s midfielder, Thiago Alcantara, last played for the team during their victory against West Ham United in April.
He has been sidelined due to a hip and pelvic problem, which has limited his participation under Jurgen Klopp’s management. However, there is hope for his comeback, as Klopp has targeted his return for the start of 2024.
“It’s an ongoing thing,” he said at the beginning of December.
“And we cannot put any kind of pressure there as well, but we expect him to be back probably start of the New Year. It’s now already November, that would mean another four weeks, I would say that’s probably a realistic thing to try.
“We can’t wait, to be honest, to have him back. The player is just exceptional. I understand that you ask, but we can’t now have a week-by-week update, because that will not change a lot in this moment.”
Stefan Bajcetic
Stefan Bajcetic has faced challenges during his time with Liverpool due to several injury setbacks. Despite a promising debut season amidst the club’s struggles, his campaign was cut short in March due to a stress response in his adductor.
In September, Bajcetic made a comeback, participating in the Carabao Cup and Europa League matches. However, his stint came to an end after encountering a calf problem in a game against LASK.
“With Stefan, it’s again one of these things,” Klopp said in November. “Let me say it like this, Stefan’s quality, potential, talent or whatever, everybody could see and it’s incredible. What a player.
“But he was not ready yet, that’s how it is. They’re still growing, these boys. They’re all different. We have other players with a different [skeletal growth], a different body, and OK that’s fine.
“With others it’s a bit too early, so we just have to put the brake on again and just wait until that’s all fine. Then Liverpool FC has a wonderful player, a wonderful player, to use.
“But there’s absolutely no time that we can put on that, and we will not, we just have to wait. He’s here, he’s training, he’s doing his stuff. We know how good he is, now we have to make sure that we help him to get a body to show that – and not only once, but then three times a week. We will get there, very good news for the club. In the moment, we cannot use him and that’s all.”
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