Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Friday, December 31.
Five players absent from training as Mo Salah club offered
Liverpool are busy preparing for their next match in the Premier League which sees them travel to Chelsea.
The Reds take on their fellow title rivals in their first match of 2022 on January 2, and do so on the back of a mediocre run of results.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have picked up just a single point from their last two matches, with the draw at Tottenham before Christmas followed by a defeat to Leicester City earlier this week.
Liverpool go into Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge in third place in the Premier League table, one point behind second placed Chelsea and nine adrift of leaders Manchester United who have both played one game more.
Klopp and his players have been out on the pitch at the AXA Training Centre, here is a look at the things we spotted from Liverpool’s latest session.
One player who has not featured in recent weeks is Thiago Alcantara.
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The Spain international recorded a positive Covid-19 test before Christmas and missed the draw with Tottenham as a result.
He was back out of self isolation in time to prepare to face Leicester, but missed the match due to “muscle soreness”.
Thiago was not present in the latest round of training photos, casting doubt over whether the 30-year-old will be available in time to face Chelsea.
Two other players who also weren't in the latest training pictures were Roberto Firmino and Alisson Becker.
Alisson played the full 90 minutes in the defeat to Leicester, while Firmino was a substitute in the second half.
Firmino only recently returned to fitness after suffering a hamstring injury, while Alisson has not missed a single game due to injury this term with his only absence being the 5-0 win over Watford in October due to being on international duty with Brazil.
Liverpool will hope that their absences are nothing serious and the duo will still be available to face Chelsea.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Jurgen Klopp faces Sadio Mane decision
Liverpool will be hoping for an immediate response after suffering only their second defeat of the season at Leicester City.
The Reds were extremely below par as they slumped to a 1-0 Premier League loss against the Foxes on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool now face a difficult task when they travel to fellow title challengers Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action...
None of Liverpool's forwards covered themselves in glory at Leicester, although Mohamed Salah at least forced good saves from Kasper Schmeichel.
With both Salah and Mane also off to the Africa Cup of Nations after the weekend, it seems likely both will start along with Diogo Jota at Stamford Bridge as Klopp looks to maximise their involvement.
Roberto Firmino, though, may be an option with Mane in particular at risk after patchy recent form.
Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi were both missed on the bench on Tuesday, with Klopp hopeful the duo will return in time to bolster the attack during the New Year.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
