Liverpool, after only a weekend of Premier League football, two games played, and a piece of silverware collected, are now without nine first-team squad players for lengthy spells.
The Reds commenced their Premier League run with a draw to re-entries Fulham, with the scoreline reading 2-2 at Craven Cottage after the final whistle was blown. Sadly, the biggest upset of the day was the ninth injury sustained in the open stages of the 2022/23 season.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool lost their star midfielder, Thiago Alcantara, to a hamstring injury that the club believes is not as bad as they “first feared”.
"The number six underwent a scan on Sunday, which confirmed a hamstring issue, but it is believed to not be as bad as first feared. Thiago is expected to be out of action for about six weeks. (Via: liverpoolecho.co.uk)"
That’s another midfielder lost with the whole campaign left to play: Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and the Champions League, all these competitions and team selection is already limited.
Chamberlain, Jones, Keita, and now Thiago are all unavailable for selection, all of whom are the experience core, not including Curtis Jones, but who is also still said to be important to Klopp’s plans this season.
Liverpool are 'preparing' a bid for Sporting Lisbon and Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes following the injury Thiago Alcantara sustained at the weekend, according to reports.
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) August 11, 2022
Would you like to see Nunes at Anfield, Reds?https://t.co/AnlTs6qYhN pic.twitter.com/jTVhffoM7U
Has This Forced Liverpool to Act in the Transfer Market?
The Reds have made a signing but not a player coming in to fight for a first-team place but a player for the future and one who will play for the Under 21s; they have confirmed the arrival of Oludare Olufunwa from Southampton, following his release from St. Mary’s.
There have, however, been strong links between the Reds and Sporting Lisbon sensation Matheus Nunes, who is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs, which apparently does not include the Anfield side.
Other reports again suggest they are ready to pay his release clause of €60m (£51m) while Sporting are not prepared to lose him now, wanting to get him to sign a new contract with them, as well as give him the number 10 jersey.
Liverpool are not pursuing a deal for Matheus Nunes. [@_pauljoyce]
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) August 11, 2022
Also, Keita only missed the first encounter through illness and is predicted to be back for their next fixture on Monday night against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
This is one of the reasons they believe they have enough quality with him, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Elliott, and Carvalho, all ready to play until others start returning from their injury issues.
One can feel the vibes of 2020/2021 creeping in for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds if they do not act in the market before the window closes. They need to add at least one new name but must look at two new players if they really are to compete on all fronts this season and defend their cups from last season.
The only difference that could happen during this run is Klopp will be playing his centre-backs as defensive midfielders if injuries to midfielders continue to persist, just like he had to use his midfielders and 18-year-olds as defenders during the testing period of 20/21.