Jurgen Klopp is likely to make a number of changes to his side when Liverpool travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Liverpool are back in Premier League action away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and will be hoping that their injury crisis finally starts to ease up.
Having seen both Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch join the injury list in last weekend’s League Cup final win over Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp was left without 14 senior players to face Southampton in the FA Cup in midweek after Andy Robertson was struck down by illness.
While a number of stars have been ruled out until after the March international break, the Reds could still welcome back a handful of players at the City Ground. And having named a much-depleted, youthful side against the Saints, we take a look at the changes Klopp could make away at Forest…
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk played 45 minutes each alongside Jarell Quansah against Southampton, but Liverpool’s first-choice pairing are likely to be restored alongside together in the East Midlands.
Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal, while Conor Bradley is likely to retain his place at right-back. If recovered from illness, Robertson should return at left-back on the opposing flank.
However, Joe Gomez is an alternative on either flank should the Northern Irishman need a rest of the Scot not recover in time, with Kostas Tsimikas also an option to retain his place at left-back.
Macca in the middle
Alexis Mac Allister was also struck down by illness after the Reds’ League Cup final win, but at least recovered enough to be utilised as a substitute against the Saints. Consequently, he will come back into the starting XI.
However, the Argentine could play at either number six or number eight, depending on the severity of the injury Endo suffered last weekend. Klopp will offer an update on the Japanese at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
Dominik Szoboszlai has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since scoring in the 4-1 win over Chelsea at the end of January, and had been described as ‘touch and go’ to return to face Southampton. Left out of the matchday squad against the Saints, the Hungarian will hope he can be cleared to face Forest – even if he would likely be limited to substitute duty at best.
Bobby Clark is currently well-placed to be handed a full Premier League debut, with James McConnell also in contention. If not needed in attack, Harvey Elliott could complete an engine-room trio.
Salah and Nunez return?
Like Szoboszlai, both Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were said to be ‘touch and go’ to recover to face Southampton. Ultimately failing to make it, they will hope that they can make their comebacks against Forest instead.
Luis Diaz will return on the left with Cody Gakpo set to start upfront. Elliiott should complete the trio if Salah and Nunez are not deemed fit enough to start.
After scoring their first goals for the club against the Saints, both Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns will be hungry for further senior minutes at the City Ground.
