Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford next Monday night for the first real blockbuster clash of the Premier League season.
The grudge match offers a chance for both sides to put a below-par start to the campaign behind them. Whilst United are bottom of the table having lost to Brighton and Brentford, Jurgen Klopp's side have under-performed in draws with Fulham and Crystal Palace. That latter result was achieved despite being reduced to ten men against the Eagles, after record signing Darwin Nunez was sent off on his Anfield debut.
The £85million striker will now miss three games, starting with the trip to United. In doing so he adds his name to a growing list of players unavailable to Kop boss Klopp - who joked his side are in the midst of a cursed period.
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"The week was crazy, I’ve experienced a lot of weeks but that was like we had a witch in the building," Klopp said, reflecting on a mounting injury crisis.
"Every day was like somebody else pulled out for the craziest reasons. In the end Joe (Gomez) didn’t start, and then did really well I have to say, but he didn’t start because he only trained yesterday again, started the week with a little issue.
"Hendo (Jordan Henderson) this morning we got information there’s a little concern about something if he plays too long, so he didn’t play long. That was the situation, which is not too cool. Bobby (Firmino) didn’t make it. He might be ready next week again. Joel (Matip) will be two weeks, or more, I think. We will see."
Klopp is already without Diogo Jota, Thiago and Curtis Jones through injury.
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