Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has had his fair share of bad luck this season, and that is not set to change, with three players recently being ruled out of tonight’s Champions League clash against Rangers at Ibrox.
What’s the latest?
Taking to his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Klopp delivered yet another series of disappointment on the Liverpool injury front.
The 3-2 defeat to Arsenal last weekend claimed three casualties in Luis Diaz (who went down just before half-time), Trent Alexander-Arnold (who was taken off at the break) and Joel Matip, who saw his day’s work end in the 69th minute on what was a gutting day for the Reds overall.
As per Liverpool Echo, Klopp said: “I thought we were hopefully a little bit lucky with Trent because ankle didn’t look good.
“Lucho (Diaz), it’s six to eight or whatever. He looks a quick healer but we have to be careful. Could have been worse.
“Joel felt a little bit and scan and is out as well.”
One welcome positive is that Andy Robertson will be in the squad for tonight but not in the starting XI, which is a sign of where he is at in terms of fitness. Elsewhere, midfield trio Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined.
Three big omissions
Just when you think the season could only get better for Liverpool after their dreadful start, it gets even worse, as the three aforementioned injuries have been sustained to huge players for the Reds.
In Diaz, we are talking about Liverpool’s most productive ball-carrier and second-highest scorer, having averaged two successful dribbles per 90, scoring three goals along the way in the Premier League.
In Alexander-Arnold, we are looking at the most productive passing asset in the Reds’ squad, averaging 6.7 accurate long balls per 90 and creating 14 chances in domestic competition.
In Matip, we are talking about Liverpool’s most proactive defender this season, with the Cameroon international averaging 5.2 clearances per 90 in a metric which sees him top the charts in that regard at Anfield.
All three omissions will be felt by Klopp, who already finds himself hopping between formations in the search for the formula to revive the Reds’ ailing season.
