The international break has been unkind to Liverpool with two new names added to the injury list while on country duty.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and left-back Andrew Robertson are the latest to join the long list of injuries at the club. That leaves only Joel Matip as a first-choice defender and the midfield striped down of personnel as well.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Fabinho, and Thiago Alcântara are players who have also made the doctor’s table — most of whom who are unable to take part on the return to Premier League action.
The only positive, Thiago and Fabinho are hopeful they could be fit in time for the Leicester City encounter coming on Sunday. The former, no time frame has been set for a return (he is least likely to make it), with the latter facing a race against time.
Now coming back to the freshes of the injury list. Henderson was ruled out of the Iceland clash coming on Wednesday and has returned to Anfield for further assessment. Robbo was missing from his country’s Nation League loss against Slovakia on Sunday.
The Scotts went down 1-0 in his absence but still top their group (League B; Group 2). Afore this is where Andrew gave a whiff of his potential problem. The Scotland captain felt his hamstring pull tight a bit, just before they took part in an important penalty shootout.
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"Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been released from the England squad and returned to the club for further assessment. The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time of the Three Lions’ clash with Belgium on Sunday night after feeling “a bit of tightness” according to Gareth Southgate. (Via: liverpoolfc.com)"
Henderson a strong presence missing
Each player missing from selection for Jurgen Klopp each has a specific role in the team, with three of them extremely key to how the Reds operate. This would be… Van Dijk and his commanding presence in the air at the back.
Trent’s pinpoint delivery and attacking prowess are certainly huge factors of Liverpool’s game that will be missing. Robertson’s determination and running up and down the pitch without taking a breath will be sorely missed. The most important figure of them all, Henderson and his leadership will not be there protecting the back four while bossing the middle of the park.
It really has been a turbulent time for the Reds boss in his defending campaign and the countries who are without key players. Liverpool welcomes the team who sits in first place in the EPL standings and who are a point above them.
There is still hope the duo of Hendo and Robbo can make the clash, but all will be clearer later in the week and closer to the time we back to club action. It is still a long shot!