Liverpool FC have a couple new injury concerns as they head into their next clash, a visit to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium. We start with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who picked up a knock in the win over Sheffield United on the weekend.
He certainly won’t feature here, in a match that is dead rubber for the Reds. Liverpool enter their final UEFA Europa League group stage clash having already clinched the group, so manager Jurgen Klopp will rest a lot, if not most, of his starters on Thursday.
Liverpool FC at Union Saint-Gilloise FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Dec. 14, 5:45pm, Lotto Park, Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium
Competition: UEFA Europa League Group E Matchday 6 of 6
Liverpool Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Fun Fact: This will be just the second meeting ever between these two sides.
USG still have an outside shot of leapfrogging Toulouse for the second knockout round qualification slot, but they would have to
A.) take care of business in a big way here and
B.) hope to get some help from last place LASK Linz at the same time.
It’s probably not going to happen for USG, but at least they have the status of a fully fit squad going for them here. The Belgian side has no real injury concerns right now, which is quite stark in contrast from Liverpool.
We got confirmation this week that Joel Matip is pretty much done for the season now, having suffered an ACL tear against Fulham.
As per usual, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are sidelined due to injury. Maybe we’ll see them play again in 2024. Also out until after the calendar flips to the new year is first choice left back Andy Robertson, who continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Forward Diogo Jota is out injured as well, but there is no definitive timeline for his return as of yet.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.