Mohamed Salah’s second-half double proved to be the difference between Liverpool and Everton in the 243rd Merseyside derby on Saturday at Anfield.
The Egyptian scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season to move Liverpool up to third in the Premier League table and set up an important couple of weeks for the Reds with the best possible start.
As well as the three points at Anfield, Liverpool will have been delighted to have avoided any further injuries or suspensions during an intense game between both sides from across Stanley Park on Saturday.
Here, the ECHO takes a look at the current injuries and suspension Liverpool will have to contend with in the weeks ahead, starting against Toulouse and Nottingham Forest later this week.
Liverpool injuries
Andy Robertson
After sustaining a shoulder injury while on international duty for Scotland earlier this month, it is unlikely Liverpool will be able to call on Andy Robertson’s services until 2024.
Speaking in his pre-Everton press conference on Friday, Klopp confirmed that after consulting a range of specialists, it had been decided that the left-back would undergo surgery to fix his shoulder dislocation.
“The decision will go towards surgery,” said Klopp. “There was a little chance he could try without but talking to experts, surgery will be the best thing long term. He is out for a while.”
Saturday’s Merseyside derby victory saw Kostas Tsimikas start his first Premier League game of the season, with the Greek international now set for a prolonged period in the Liverpool first team.
Expected return date: January 2024
Cody Gakpo
On the other hand, there was a more pleasing sight at the AXA Training Centre last week as Cody Gakpo returned to training some three weeks after sustaining a leg injury against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dutchman was taken out moments before equalising against the North Londoners during the 2-1 defeat on September 30 and was later seen leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with his leg in a brace. As a result, Gakpo missed Holland’s international fixtures in October as he remained on Merseyside to recover from injury.
On Friday, though, the forward was involved in training and could be set to make his return against Toulouse, or Nottingham Forest, before the end of the week.
Expected return date: October 26
Thiago
No timeline has been placed on Thiago Alcantara’s return to full fitness, with the midfielder yet to feature for Liverpool this season.
The Spaniard, whose last appearance for the Reds came back in April, suffered a setback in his recovery last month, according to Klopp. However, no timeline for his return to action has been made public.
Expected return date: Unknown
Stefan Bajcetic
In similar circumstances to Thiago, no timeline has been placed on Stefan Bajcetic’s return to action after the Spaniard suffered a minor calf injury last month.
Bajcetic made his first appearance of the season during last month’s Europa League win at LASK and later made a cameo against Leicester City the following week.
However, prior to last month’s trip to Tottenham, Klopp confirmed the Spaniard had suffered a minor setback in his return to full fitness.
“Stefan had a little, little, little, little, tiny calf issue,” Klopp told reporters. “That’s how it is when you are six months out. We have to take him out a little bit.”
Liverpool suspensions
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones will be available for Liverpool’s Europa League encounter against French side Toulouse on Thursday despite being sent off against Tottenham last month.
Jones, 22, was shown a straight red card against Ange Postecoglou’s side for a studs-up challenge on Yves Bissouma. The Reds’ appeal to the Football Association to have the ban overturned was rejected, with Jones now having served two games out of his two-match suspension.
Jones will be available for domestic selection for next Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Bournemouth, with Nottingham Forest’s trip to Anfield on October 29 marking the final game of his suspension.
However, as was the case with the Reds’ tie against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month, Jones can continue to be picked for UEFA competitions. It means he is likely to start Thursday’s group-stage encounter against Toulouse.
