Jurgen Klopp is scratching players who will open tonight against Leicester, but believes it is possible to win despite the long list of injured
Klopp assists Fabino.
Will the Brazilian surprise and play tonight?
Photography:
Reuters
The injury blow that has accompanied Liverpool since the start of the season is driving the club crazy.
The English champions are trying to avoid definitions like "curse lies", but when nine players who can be in the squad at any given game are injured or infected with Corona, it is already much more than a random misfortune.
Tonight, despite all the shortcomings, Jürgen Klopp will have to place 11 players to face the table leader on the eve of the season, Leicester, the same coach in charge of his predecessor, Brendan Rogers.
"They are a good team, it will be a difficult game," clarified the German manager, who as mentioned is more troubled by the situation of his players than by the opponent.
There is no squad in the team that has not been injured this season, but at least between the beams tonight at Anfield will stand the team's best goalkeeper, Allison, who recently returned from an injury that cost the team dearly.
His replacement Adrian demonstrated very mediocre ability and the confidence radiated by the Brazilian goalkeeper became critical with the plethora of injuries on defense.
Alexander-Arnold and Henderson. Sitting in the stands // Photo: Getty Images
In fact, tonight Liverpool will come up with a quarter of their top defensive players, with Andrew Robertson, who also suffered a brief injury, opening in the left-back position.
However, Klopp will have to place three alternatives in the remaining defensive positions.
Right-back Trent Alexander Arnold was injured before the international break against Manchester City and is expected to return only in December, and it seems that James Milner can take his place.
In the brake positions, Virgil Van Dyke and Joe Gomez have practically finished the season (the latter may yet return towards the end), so Joel Matip will open, although it should be remembered that he also often gets injured.
Next to him should be Nate Phillips, who without the many injuries would have been loaned to a smaller team.
The link trio is a big question mark in itself.
Captain Jordan Henderson, who was injured in the England squad game against Belgium, has joined the list of shortcomings, and Klopp may start with Giorgini Vinaldom, young Curtis Jones and Nabi Keita, who are used to being close to the bench when everyone is healthy.
However, the German manager tried at the last press conference to convey optimism.
While he maintains a cloud on the subject, he hints that there is a chance that the Brazilian duo Fabino and Thiago will be available real soon.
Both have been disabled for over a month, and it is highly doubtful that they will participate tonight, even though they have returned to full training.
On offense the situation is better.
Sadio Mana is healthy.
Roberto Firmino is healthy and Diego Giota, the Portuguese who is in wonderful shape, is also healthy.
A trio is dangerous for any defense, but it is also not perfect for Klopp, due to the absence of Muhammad Salah.
Salah. Infected in Corona at his brother's wedding // Photo: Reuters
The outstanding Egyptian striker, contracted the corona virus during a visit to his homeland, where he attended his brother's mass wedding.
Klopp was cautious in criticizing the actor and said: "I have refrained from attending a similar event, but there are places where it is customary and I do not judge him."
Salah returned to Liverpool this weekend on a special flight, and will miss three games, until he finishes the isolation imposed on him.
To all of this can be added Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain, the attacking midfielder who is still recovering from a long injury, and it has not yet been clarified when he will be back at the coach's disposal.
Liverpool's troubles are not interesting for Leicester, who started the season well, and will be happy to take advantage of the hosts' shortcomings tonight, inflict their first loss at Anfield after 63 home games, and return to the top of the Premier League