Due to a variety of injury concerns, Liverpool is now without a number of first-team players.
After Andy Robertson’s injury setback while playing for Scotland, Liverpool will be hoping that none of their other players experience setbacks this week or the next.
In a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Spain, the Reds’ left defender was forced off with a shoulder injury, forcing Jurgen Klopp to wait in suspense for his prognosis.
Although Robertson isn’t the only Liverpool player who won’t be available for the Merseyside Derby next weekend, he isn’t likely to play.
The players that are presently receiving medical attention are listed below.
Below is a list of the players that are presently receiving medical attention.
As previously noted, Robertson had a shoulder injury and may now need to sit out for a while.
After Scotland’s loss to Spain, former Liverpool coach and current leader of the Tartan Army Steve Clarke commented on the tragic situation, saying: “It was an immediate decision to take him off, he’ll go back to his club, and he’ll be assessed.”
“Obviously he’s hurt his shoulder. We’ll have a look, obviously go back to his club. Always seems to happens when you lose one player in a position: we lose Kieran [Tierney] on the left side and then Andy’s picked up a shoulder injury.
“We’ll see how it is, see how it settles down and hopefully he’s good for his club as quickly as possible and he’s ready to help us in November.”
Cody Gakpo
The Dutchman departed North London with a knee brace after scoring for Liverpool in a game against Tottenham Hotspur that was clouded by VAR controversy. However, Klopp is optimistic that Gakpo will be fit to play after the current international break.
“Cody, there is a good chance,” said the Reds’ boss. “He is already out of the brace, walks normal around, so from all the very, very bad opportunities and possibilities injury-wise, I think he nearly got the best but is still injured.”
Thiago Alcantara
Since his last appearance in April, Thiago Alcantara has been absent for six months. The Spaniard has not yet resumed training after lately experiencing another setback in his rehabilitation from hip surgery that he underwent at the tail end of last season.
Klopp said: “It is just, for [Thiago] himself especially, annoying. He had now two setbacks in the rehab, not massive but enough to take him off the pitch again. Obviously not the same injury, not at all, but a bit similar.
“It’s as annoying as it is for Stefan Bajcetic, who was there, played a few minutes and then played a few minutes and then felt something else. That’s how it is after long-term injuries from time to time.
“I don’t know and I will not put pressure on that [their returns] because I can’t anyway. If they will be back after the internationals, we will see that. Hopefully, it would be cool.”
Stefan Bajcetic
Bajcetic is a long-term absentee, much like Thiago. The midfielder underwent adductor surgery in March and made his comeback to the first team in September for a Europa League match against LASK Linz. Six days later, he made a cameo appearance against Leicester City.
After these two outings, Bajcetic had a small problem, although it is not anticipated that he will be away for very long.
Caoimhin Kelleher
The Republic of Ireland custodian was scheduled to start Liverpool’s home Europa League match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, but he was injured on the practise pitch and required 12 stitches as a result.
The likelihood that Kelleher won’t be available for a few weeks severely harms his chances of playing regularly in cup tournaments.
After learning that a stress fracture in his back had slowed down his recuperation, the youthful right-back has been granted some time to relax. Bradley has not yet participated in a Reds competitive game this season.
Before the Reds’ weekend trip to Brighton, Klopp provided an update on the 20-year-old: “Conor is on the way back, he is running, but in that age group and with these kind of injuries you tend to give them rather three weeks more than not enough because it has to do with the growing process of the body and stuff like this. I couldn’t get this injury anymore, let me say it like that! And that’s why he needs a bit of time.”