Liverpool must move over their heartbreaking loss to Arsenal and concentrate on aiming for three points against Burnley this coming weekend. On Saturday at Anfield, the Reds will play the Clarets in one of the 3pm kickoffs.
Additionally, they will be hoping that Everton, their rivals and neighbors, would do them a favor when they visit the Etihad to play Manchester City. When City plays their game in hand later this month, Pep Guardiola’s team will have the opportunity to overtake Liverpool, therefore the Reds are depending on City to give up points wherever they can.
In December, Jurgen Klopp’s team defeated Burnley 2-0, and they will be looking for further success this coming weekend. Despite the absence of several important players due to injury and ineligibility, Wataru Endō has rejoined Liverpool after Japan’s Asian Cup quarterfinal elimination.
Joël Matip’s knee
Joël Matip may have played his final Liverpool game after suffering one of the hardest knocks of the season. The center defender won’t be able to play again this season and is out of the running while he heals from an ACL injury.
Matip may not be able to play for the Reds again because his contract is set to expire this summer, but according to recent sources, there has been discussion of a short-term extension to recognize his many years of dedication to the team.
Tsimikas Kostas (collarbone)
Following a protracted injury, Andy Robertson is returning, and Kostas Tsimikas, his deputy, is thought to be “close” behind him. When the left-back hurt his collarbone in December, Klopp acknowledged that it was “definitely broken,” but there was optimism in the team that the injury wouldn’t cause him to miss the rest of the season.
According to the most recent information regarding Tsimikas’s fitness, he has resumed first team training and is ‘waiting for the green light’.
The promising young player Stefan Bajcetic’s anticipated return date is yet unknown. Although not much else has been mentioned about the 19-year-old’s fitness, Klopp stated last month that he was optimistic the player would resume training in February.
“He could train today fully and tomorrow as well and then not for four or five weeks, it’s a medical decision,” Klopp stated in December. That’s not the boy’s fault; it’s mine; in the event that something similar occurs, you must act accordingly.”
Szoboszlai Dominik (hamstring)
Summertime acquisition Dominik Szoboszlai recently missed the match against Bournemouth due to hamstring issues, but he played against Chelsea the next day and scored a goal.
But Klopp acknowledged that the midfield player was still experiencing pain in the same region, hence he was left out of the starting lineup against Arsenal.
The supervisor has additionally emphasized that they ‘cannot take any risk’ with Szoboszlai and that they are awaiting additional evaluation. Another rumor out of Hungary indicates that the 23-year-old may be away for up to ‘three to four weeks’, which is longer than anticipated.
Salah Mohamed (hamstring)
Being without Mohamed Salah for his AFCON duties was already a setback, but the winger is now sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Egypt. The injury “could have been much worse,” according to Klopp’s most recent report, which is encouraging, although no comeback date has even been mentioned as of yet.
“He is hurt; I’m not sure if there was initially a miscommunication. The boss stated, “He’s hurt, and a muscle injury takes time.”
Conor Bradley (for private purposes)
Conor Bradley, a teenage right-back who is quickly becoming a star, has shown a great deal of promise while stepping in for Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, due to the untimely death of his father, Bradley is not likely to make the team.
Bradley was left out of the team to play Arsenal on Sunday, and Klopp has since stated that he advised the 20-year-old to take “as much time as he needs” to spend this trying time with his family. Naturally, at this time, Bradley’s return is not anticipated.
Konaté Ibrahima (suspended)
Jarell Quinsah might be selected to start alongside Virgil van Dijk once more if Joe Gomez keeps playing left defense against Burnley this weekend. Due to Ibrahima Konaté’s injury, Liverpool will once again have few choices in defense now that Matip is gone for the season.
Following his two yellow cards against Arsenal, the Frenchman was sent off, and he will not be able to play against Burnley because of his suspension.
