Mixed news on the injury front this week. Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren returned to training on Monday, which opens up the possibility that both may be available for Jurgen Klopp's first game against Spurs. When one door opens, another door closes, though, and 'exceptional' Joe Gomez is the latest Reds player to join the club's ever expanding injury list.
Gomez appeared to be in major pain after suffering a knee injury during England U21s European Championship qualifier with Kazakhstan, and limped off the field after receiving treatment.
After the game, manager Gareth Southgate told reporters:
"We were a bit concerned at first, but we are hopeful it's nothing too serious".
This injury issue probably means that Gomez will not be available (or risked) for the Spurs game, but it hardly matters as it's doubtful that he would've made the team.
If Klopp reverts to four at the back, the it seems likely that Clyne and Moreno will get the nod in the full-back positions. Both are older, and more experienced than Gomez, who has spent the last three league games on the bench.
If Gomez is fit for the game, though, there's always a chance that Gomez may spring a surprise and play him at centre-back. Klopp is renowned for giving young players a chance, and in his first press conference, he reiterated his intention to utilise the club's academy. He told reporters:
"When I'm managing a club, each young player should smile because the chance is bigger than it ever was. The door is pretty wide open. Experience is an important point, but not the most."
It'll be a major surprise if Gomez relegates either Sakho or Skrtel to the bench, and in my view, neither player deserves to be dropped.
Skrtel, especially, deserves to keep his place. He is Liverpool's most consistent defender, and over the international break, he proved his quality even more by captaining Slovakia to qualification for next year's European Championships.
In any event, Klopp will probably avoid making too many changes for his first game in charge. He's hardly had any time to work with the players, and it won't surprise me to see him go with a team that's very similar to the XI that started the Everton game.
Author: Jaimie K
Gomez appeared to be in major pain after suffering a knee injury during England U21s European Championship qualifier with Kazakhstan, and limped off the field after receiving treatment.
After the game, manager Gareth Southgate told reporters:
"We were a bit concerned at first, but we are hopeful it's nothing too serious".
This injury issue probably means that Gomez will not be available (or risked) for the Spurs game, but it hardly matters as it's doubtful that he would've made the team.
If Klopp reverts to four at the back, the it seems likely that Clyne and Moreno will get the nod in the full-back positions. Both are older, and more experienced than Gomez, who has spent the last three league games on the bench.
If Gomez is fit for the game, though, there's always a chance that Gomez may spring a surprise and play him at centre-back. Klopp is renowned for giving young players a chance, and in his first press conference, he reiterated his intention to utilise the club's academy. He told reporters:
"When I'm managing a club, each young player should smile because the chance is bigger than it ever was. The door is pretty wide open. Experience is an important point, but not the most."
It'll be a major surprise if Gomez relegates either Sakho or Skrtel to the bench, and in my view, neither player deserves to be dropped.
Skrtel, especially, deserves to keep his place. He is Liverpool's most consistent defender, and over the international break, he proved his quality even more by captaining Slovakia to qualification for next year's European Championships.
In any event, Klopp will probably avoid making too many changes for his first game in charge. He's hardly had any time to work with the players, and it won't surprise me to see him go with a team that's very similar to the XI that started the Everton game.
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Author: Jaimie K
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