Liverpool’s midfield has been struck by the latest injury crisis – but that could give one player an opportunity
This time last year, Jurgen Klopp was fretting over who exactly could line up in Liverpool’s midfield. And while circumstances could rarely be more contrasting, the Reds boss once again finds himself having to address the same quandary.
Some 12 months ago, the continually misfiring engine room prompted first a rethink of personnel and then tactics from Klopp as the realisation dawned that an overhaul was required.
Now, though, it’s the relentless injury crisis that is prompting a hasty assessment in the centre of the park, with Curtis Jones having joined Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajectic on the sidelines. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold, an occasional dweller in midfield, is out.
Opportunity, though, will now knock for one player for tonight’s Premier League visit of Luton Town. And Ryan Gravenberch may have edged ahead in the battle to join Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, having been given the nod to replace the stricken Jones after only 34 minutes of the 4-1 Premier League win at Brentford on Saturday.
The Dutchman’s form has been patchy since the turn of the year, but he delivered an encouraging showing, the highlight of which was his part in the build-up to Mac Allister notching the second goal. Indeed, with Endo having won the ball to initiate the move, the goal, which was assisted by Mohamed Salah, involved all three Reds midfielders.
The previous week at home to Burnley, though, it was Harvey Elliott who made the difference with his second-half cameo. Should he feature this evening, it will be a 100th appearance for Liverpool and make him the fourth-youngest player in the club’s history to reach the landmark at the age of 20 years 323 days. Only Michael Owen, Raheem Sterling and Robbie Fowler have hit a century sooner.
Cody Gakpo is another senior option, but will most likely be required in a regular attacking role with Diogo Jota out for several months and question marks over Salah and Darwin Nunez.
Whoever lines up will be in a midfield that has seen a subtle and long-awaited shift over the past fortnight. The return of Endo from the Asia Cup was particularly timely, not only regards bolstering numbers due to the growing injury issues, but also allowing Mac Allister to push further upfield.
After a relatively quiet showing against Burnley, Mac Allister – employed to Endo’s right but arguably more effective on the other side of the engine room – was livelier at the weekend. And tellingly, the Argentine’s goal was his first shot from inside the penalty box this season, on only a fourth start in a more advanced role.
A lack of numbers has also opened the door for Liverpool’s next generation throughout the team. Teenage midfielder James McConnell has been in the matchday squad for each of the last 16 games and started the 5-2 FA Cup fourth round win over Norwich City last month. Bobby Clark has impressed in cameo outings, while Kaide Gordon, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas have also made the bench recentl, with 18-year-old striker Jayden Danns training regularly with the first team.
“We are where we are because of them, because the boys really delivered,” says Klopp. “We will see how many of them we will have to use and will give them the opportunity because in a good moment they can be in. We have still options there, definitely, players who showed already what they can do like James or Bobby and others who didn’t feature yet but are in around that – Koumas, Dannsy, Trey – they are all massive talents. So we will see what we will do.”
The FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Championship side Southampton tomorrow week could offer an opportunity of minutes for some youngsters. Klopp, though, is only concentrated on the next task, with a potential highest-ever crowd for a league game at Anfield in excess of 60,000 tonight.
“Wednesday is an incredibly important game for us against a really good side,” says the Reds boss. “The job (Luton boss) Rob (Edwards) is doing there is insane, I’m not sure it’s really being respected enough. The team with the amount of points they had at the start of the season, making such a footballing development, I’m not sure we’ve seen that before.
“When you saw the Manchester United game (on Sunday), yes Luton lost it but it was an incredible game from them. They increased possession periods during the season in a really crazy way. Good players and top, top coach. It will be a tough one. We need Anfield 100%, it must be a European night in England for that.”
And, in terms of the midfield, it will be a last chance to audition for a starting role in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
