Xherdan Shaqiri, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi are set to miss Liverpool’s visit to MK Dons in the third round of the League Cup due to injury.
Shaqiri looked a likely candidate for a rare start at Stadium MK having seen his opportunities limited so far this season by the form of Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice front three.
However, a poorly timed training ground injury has ensured the Reds’ No.23 won’t be involved tomorrow evening.
“Yesterday towards the end of training, Shaq felt his calf stiffen up a little bit,” assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders revealed.
“He couldn’t continue and a scan showed he had a little tear there. We need to wait a couple of days, but for sure he is not in contention for tomorrow. He needs some rest, so he will not be involved.”
Mane is also out as he continues to recover from a knock picked up in the latter stages of the weekend win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“Sadio has a knock, of course, but he looks good,” Lijnders added.
“With having today off and having treatment tomorrow, I think on Thursday he will be back in training again, so that looks all good.”
And the same goes for Divock Origi, who is still nursing the ankle problem he sustained against Newcastle United.
Lijnders said of the Belgian: “Divock is in the right way and has already been on the pitch, but not with the team yet so that’s his next step. Hopefully that comes quickly.”
Despite his limited options for rotation, Klopp is still expected to make a number of changes to his team for the clash with Paul Tisdale’s team.
Academy goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is in line for a first competitive start, while the likes of Rhian Brewster and Ki-Jana Hoever are also expected to feature.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Hoever, Lovren, Gomez, Milner; Lallana, Keita, Wijnaldum; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Brewster, Jones.
