Liverpool will endeavour to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League table when they play host to Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Reds marked their first game since Jurgen Klopp’s announcement of leaving the club at the end of the season with an eventful 5-2 victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, courtesy of goals from Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch.
Back-to-back fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal are up next for Liverpool in the space of five days, with Klopp’s men seeking to at least maintain or increase their five-point lead at the summit over the chasing pack.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool for treatment on the muscle injury that he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations – Egypt have since been eliminated from the tournament in the last 16. Salah’s agent recently revealed that his client would spend around three to four weeks on the sidelines.
Wataru Endo is still away on international duty at the Asian Cup with Japan, who have progressed to the last 16.
Joel Matip ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Fulham in December and the defender is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Kostas Tsimikas underwent surgery after fracturing his collarbone against Arsenal in December, and the left-back will spend at least a few more weeks in rehabilitation before being considered for a first-team return.
Thiago Alcantara has been sidelined since April last year and is yet to make an appearance for Liverpool this season due to a troublesome hip injury, although the midfielder could be in a position to return at some stage next month.
Stefan Bajcetic is another who is yet to play for the Reds this season due to a long-term calf injury, but the midfielder could make a return to the first-team fold in February.
