Liverpool will be without captain Jordan Henderson for Monday’s meeting with Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The midfielder was forced off at half-time of the Reds’ win at Chelsea last weekend after feeling tightness in his thigh, with Thiago Alcantara making his bow from the bench as a result.
And Klopp has revealed that Henderson’s recovery has not moved quickly enough for him to be involved when the Gunners visit Merseyside early next week.
The same goes for Joel Matip, whose hamstring injury is likely to keep him out until after the next international break.
But there was better news at the back, with both Joe Gomez and Billy Koumetio returning to training on Friday after a brief lay-off.
Asked for an update on injuries, Klopp said: “I think Joe should be back today in training, that’s what everybody told me - and nobody told me something different since.
“Billy the kid is back in training. Joel not, pretty much. Hendo not yet, that was clear – this game is for sure too early. I think that’s it, pretty much.”
Henderson’s absence could offer the opportunity for Thiago to make his full debut at Anfield against Mikel Arteta’s men.
And with Gomez only just back in training, Klopp may prefer to once again use Fabinho as a makeshift centre-back.
Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Keita, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
