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Liverpool gained another point on Manchester City in the league title race this past week, upping the margin to five, but they could see that deficit reduced to two by the time they kick off on Monday night. The defending champions host Arsenal Sunday in what is no doubt the weekend’s headline match-up.
Monday night brings another northwest of England vs. London club match-up as the Reds tangle with West Ham United.
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The news regarding Liverpool defender Joe Gomez only seems to be getting worse, not better. After the 21-year-old fractured his leg against Burnley earlier this season, his time table for return was estimated to be about six weeks. Now it is two months later, and things have not improved.
In fact, the Gomez setback could require surgery, which would then effectively end his season. “I don’t know,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp responded Friday when asked about the possibility of surgery for Gomez.
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Liverpool continue their quest to end their title drought when they host Leicester City on Wednesday night. Their closest competitor in the table, Manchester City, visit Newcastle United tomorrow night, so the Reds will be well aware of that result before this match kicks off. With the gap between the two sides just four points, neither side can afford to be settling for draws instead of wins.
The Merseysiders currently have an injury crisis in defense, and it will be interesting to see how manager Jurgen Klopp makes his selections for his first team. He will likely have to keep on slotting midfielders in the back line, as a stop gap measure.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will still have plenty of defensive concerns when his side hosts Leicester City on Wednesday night. Joe Gomez (ankle) is still out injured for the Premier League table toppers while midfielder James Milner (who has filled in when needed on the back line this season) is suspended.
The good news is that Dejan Lovren (thigh) is expected to feature, having now returned to full training. Meanwhile right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee issue) should be back in contention soon, but likely not in time for the mid-week clash at Anfield. If he can’t go, then midfielder Fabinho could be the first team choice at right-back.
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Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a horrific knee injury in last year’s UEFA Champions League semifinal against AS Roma that cost him the opportunity to compete in both the UCL final and the 2018 World Cup. This devastating setback was thought to be serious enough to keep him out for all of the 2018-19 season, but today brought some more positive news regarding the English international.
The 25-year-old has returned to training, and thus taken the next massive step forward in his long rehabilitation.
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For Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the main issue to resolve in with his starting line-up is at the right back position. With starter Trent Alexander-Arnold now on the shelf for a month, possibly a month and a half, there is no designated right back fit and available on the current roster.
Joe Gomez is still sidelined due to a lower leg fracture that he has sustained last month. However, midfielder James Milner has already seen time at the position this season, and we’re suggesting he’ll be the first team choice on Saturday at home versus Crystal Palace.
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Yesterday brought news that Liverpool have suffered yet another major injury blow to the position group where they can ill afford it- the back line. The defender injury crisis deepened as first team right back Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered severe knee ligament damage during the Reds 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion this past Saturday.
TAA will be out at least a month, maybe more. The Liverpool Echo reports that no surgery will be required but Alexander-Arnold is definitely out for Saturday’s home Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, and also upcoming matches against Leicester City, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth. He’s not the only one on the shelf for this weekend’s match. Let’s take a look at who else won’t be able to feature when the Eagles come to Anfield Road.
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Liverpool have suffered another major injury blow in the position group where they can least afford it- defender. The back line injury crisis deepens as right back Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered knee ligament damage in the 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday. Alexander-Arnold will miss at least a month, but potentially more due to this setback.
The Liverpool Echo reports that no surgery will be required but TAA will most likely be out for League fixtures against Crystal Palace, Leicester City, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth.
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For the second time in 16 months, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that his team is “not the Harlem Globetrotters.” The first time Klopp made this remark, the world famous group of basketball playing entertainers responded by hitting back at Liverpool pretty hard (and humorously) on Twitter.
The German used the analogy, both in September of 2017 and again today, as a way to illustrate his club’s need to provide wins, not entertainment value. Saturday saw Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion not in a high-scoring, swashbuckling manner of result, but instead by a final score of just 1-0.
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Liverpool FC head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday for what will be the all time 29th meeting between the two clubs. As you might expect, it’s a series that the Merseysiders have owned, winning 16 while losing only four times, with eight draws.
The Reds come into this one having just crashed out of the FA Cup on Monday night and looking to get back on the winning track. Liverpool know that they can’t afford to be dropping any points, especially in games like this where they are heavily favored. Manchester City is just four points back now in the league title race.
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League leaders Liverpool FC head to 13th place Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend with nothing short of a full injury crisis in the back line. Despite the severe fitness issues in the back, Liverpool is reportedly not going to seek out and purchase a defender this January transfer window.
Given all the money spent in the summer, it is understandable why the Merseyside club might not want to splash out more cash on player acquisition this month. According to an ESPN report, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is content to play midfielder Fabinho in central defense, instead of going out and getting another centre-half.
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It’s a very busy day on the Liverpool FC interwebs as the Reds travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers to complete the third round of FA Cup competition. As it’s also the January transfer window, we have plenty of off-the-pitch topics to discuss as well.
So let’s take a spin through the latest news and notes items making the rounds on the internet this Monday.
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