Liverpool are set to be without at least six players for Wednesday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt were eliminated from the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, but the attacker had previously flown back to the UK to receive treatment for a muscle injury, and he is joined by Joel Matip (knee), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), Thiago Alcantara (hip) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) in the treatment room; Wataru Endo, meanwhile is away with Japan at the Asian Cup.
However, Jurgen Klopp received a triple injury boost last weekend as Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai all made substitute appearances in Liverpool’s 5-2 win over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round, and the Reds’ trio are in contention to play against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Alexander-Arnold could replace the impressive Conor Bradley at right-back, while Robertson may be fit to start at left-back at the expense of Joe Gomez, as Virgil van Dijk – who scored off the substitutes’ bench against Norwich – partners Ibrahima Konate in the heart of the defence.
Alexis Mac Allister missed the win over Norwich with a minor injury, but Klopp is confident that the Argentine will be fit to return against Chelsea, while Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch, who both got their names on the scoresheet against the Canaries, will be hoping to keep their places in midfield.
Klopp may consider recalling Luis Diaz, with Cody Gakpo seemingly the most likley to make way as in-form duo Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have impressed in front of goal in recent weeks and should continue in a three-man attack.
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this contest
