Liverpool face a setback in the lead-up to their clash against Burnley, with Jürgen Klopp grappling with a significant blow involving Dominik Szoboszlai.
The defeat against Arsenal on Sunday marked Liverpool’s first loss in 2024, narrowing their lead at the top of the Premier League table, as both Manchester City and Arsenal trail closely, just two points behind.
Looking ahead, Klopp’s squad is determined to bounce back against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley team. However, the focus momentarily shifts to Manchester City’s Monday Night Football encounter with Brentford, holding the first of their games in hand.
As Liverpool prepare for the upcoming showdown with Burnley, a growing list of absentees poses challenges. Defender Ibrahima Konaté joins the sidelined players, set to miss the Anfield clash on Saturday due to suspension. His second yellow card in North London adds to Klopp’s selection woes.
The ramifications of his suspension are alleviated with the comeback of both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Additionally, defender Joe Gomez is anticipated to revert to the center of defence after occupying the full-back position in recent weeks. On a different note, several players are grappling with injuries, as outlined below by Newsnow Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Having just recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out for four games in January, the Hungarian midfielder was absent in the recent match against Arsenal. Klopp mentioned before the Emirates Stadium clash: “Dom felt in the same area, or pretty much a similar area, to where he was injured before.
“Not in the game, he was fine, and then after the game [he felt it] slightly so we had a look at it and there was now no chance for him to be involved in this game. We cannot take any risk. We have to wait for further assessment but it was clear that he cannot be involved today. That’s it, pretty much.”
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have been missing their key player since the victory over Newcastle United on January 1. Salah, who had embarked on international duty with Egypt, sustained a hamstring injury during a 2-2 draw against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The severity of the problem exceeds initial expectations, but there is optimism he’s close to return as images show the player running on the training ground. Everyone affiliated with the club is eagerly anticipating his swift comeback. Notably, Egypt’s elimination from AFCON means Salah won’t need to return to the Ivory Coast.
Stefan Bajčetić
Following an impressive inaugural season in the first team, the young midfielder encountered a setback in March 2023, sidelining him for the rest of the campaign. Reemerging in September, he participated in matches in the Europa League and Carabao Cup; however, a subsequent calf issue arose.
Anticipated to resume training throughout February, Klopp emphasises the importance of approaching his comeback with caution to avert potential future injuries. The coaching staff is in no hurry, particularly with the return of Thiago to the squad.
Joël Matip
Matip sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December, and it’s anticipated that he’ll remain sidelined until the conclusion of his contract at Anfield this summer.
Following surgery to address the issue, he’s currently in an extensive rehabilitation phase at the AXA Training Centre. Given his contract expiration at the end of the season, there’s a chance that Matip may have already played his last game for Liverpool.
Ben Doak
During the U21s match, Doak sustained a significant knee injury. Assistant boss Pep Lijnders later disclosed that he had torn his lateral meniscus, necessitating surgery for resolution. “He is young, he is a fit guy,” Lijnders said in December.
“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.” It is currently unclear when exactly he will be back again.
Kostas Tsimikas
Following Andy Robertson’s setback with a shoulder injury during international duty, expectations were high for the Greek full-back to assume an extended role in the first team. Unfortunately, his prospects were abruptly curtailed when he suffered a collarbone fracture in a clash against Arsenal in December.
As of now, Tsimikas is on the brink of making a comeback to the match-day squad, with Klopp disclosing that they are simply awaiting confirmation on his recovery before giving the green light.
“Kosti is close. Kosti is actually fit,” he said at the end of January. “Kosti just has to wait now for the green light because the bone healing takes much longer, but the plate is doing the job at the moment.
“Now we have to figure out when is one taking enough over, let me say it like that. And then he’s in training as well. He was not out that long, like Trent was not, like Dom was not.”
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