Liverpool’s injury list continues to grow as they await the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister ahead of their game against Newcastle United on Monday. Mac Allister has been recovering from a knee injury and was targeting a return for the New Year’s Day clash. However, Jurgen Klopp states that it is too soon to predict whether he will feature.
The team is already facing a shortage of players, especially in defense. With Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson sidelined due to injuries, there is a particular shortage at left-back. Klopp has emphasized that Joe Gomez cannot play every minute, so young players like Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon may be called upon if needed.
Tsimikas will be out for a long period, along with center-back Joel Matip. Robertson is not expected to return until at least the end of January. Klopp mentioned that Robertson still needs more range in his shoulder and is not close to team training yet. However, he believes that Robertson will get closer and closer to a return in January.
Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic, midfielders for Liverpool, are also not close to returning. Klopp wants to ensure that Thiago is not used too soon and that his long-term recovery is prioritized. As for Bajcetic, Klopp explains that they need to be careful due to his growth and make sensible decisions regarding his training.
In addition to the injury concerns, Liverpool will also be without Mo Salah as he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations after Monday’s game. Wataru Endo is also set to represent Japan in the Asian Cup. Klopp acknowledges the challenges of losing key players but remains confident in the team’s ability to recover.
Overall, Liverpool faces a growing injury list and will need to rely on young players and careful management of their remaining squad members. Despite the challenges, Klopp remains optimistic about the team’s ability to cope with the upcoming games.