Liverpool has had enough of fitness concerns to deal with this season, so let’s have a look at what each of our current absentees is up to.
The Reds have enjoyed a rare three-week hiatus from Premier League competition, with their focus shifting to domestic cups before last weekend’s winter break.
Jurgen Klopp’s team will travel to Bournemouth next, although the boss will still be without a number of crucial senior players.
Injuries aren’t the only thing the manager will have to deal with when league play begins, as Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo have already begun their AFCON and Asian Cup campaigns, respectively.
If they both make it to the finals of both competitions, which is plausible considering the quality of the teams they represent, their returns are slated to be at Brentford on February 17.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was the latest name added to the casualty list before the break, sustaining a “little tear in the lateral ligament of his knee,” which was expected to keep him out for “probably three weeks.”
That is likely to keep the vice-captain out for at least the next three games, with the earliest possible return date coming at home to Chelsea at the end of the month.
Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a hamstring injury during the 4-2 home win against Newcastle, but the midfielder intimated last week that “it’s possible” he may face the Cherries on Sunday.
The midfielder did not exercise with the squad on Wednesday, leaving him in a race against time to make an unlikely return to the Vitality Stadium.
Left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas remain sidelined due to significant shoulder ailments, though the former stated earlier this week that he is performing “proper sessions” in Dubai to regain fitness.
It is believed that Spanish midfield combo Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic will be able to return to training next month, after a horrific season with injuries.
Joel Matip’s ACL injury in December may have marked the end of his Liverpool career.
The Cameroon defender will not play again this season, and with his contract expiring in the summer, the injury could spell the end of his Liverpool career.
Ben Doak sustained an untimely knee injury last month, and his return to the field remains uncertain.
Here’s the complete list of players Klopp is currently unavailable:
Dominik Szoboszlai(hamstring)
Trent Alexander-Arnold(knee)
Mohammed Salah (AFCON)
Wataru Endo (Asian Cup)
Andy Robertson (Shoulder)
Kostas Tsimikas (Collarbone)
Thiago (Hip)
Stefan Bajcetic (Growing Pains)
Ben Doak (MCL)
Joel Matip (ACL)