Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has some decisions to make about his defensive set-up ahead of Leicester City’s visit to Anfield in Gameweek 24.
Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) was stricken with an illness over the weekend but has now returned to train both on Monday and Tuesday.
Despite that positive step for the important centre-back, Klopp still explained that “we will see” whether or not he can be involved against the Foxes.
“Virgil (van Dijk) was a little bit ill, but he trained yesterday and we will see. He will train today and we will see.” – Jurgen Klopp
Klopp may have more issues in the right-back spot after he ruled out Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m) out of Gameweek 24 action. While that may be of some frustration to his 15% ownership, it is the first time in a while that we have been given concrete information on the right-back.
“Trent (Alexander-Arnold) is getting closer and closer, looks very positive but will not be ready for tomorrow.” – Jurgen Klopp
With James Milner (£5.6m) suspended, Joe Gomez (£4.9m) still out injured and Nathaniel Clyne (£4.4m) on loan at Bournemouth, Klopp may have a headache selecting someone to play at right-back on Wednesday night.
Fabinho (£5.5m), who performed well as a centre-back against Brighton recently, seems the logical choice given his well-documented versatility, but he has also been an injury doubt through illness over the last few days. Klopp confirmed that he is currently training though.
“You will have to wait until tomorrow (for our solution to the right-back shortage). We will play with a right-back or a wing-back. Wow! [Wijnaldum trained and Fabinho will train today.” – Jurgen Klopp
Fantasy managers will also be keen to know whether Son Heung-min (£8.6m) will be thrown straight back into the Spurs side for the visit of Watford.
Mauricio Pochettino admitted in his Tuesday press conference that he was optimistic about the South Korean’s involvement, although he will have to make a decision as to whether he will feature from the beginning or off the bench.
“Yes (he is fit), Son came back and today was good in training. Maybe after the third game he played in between Dubai and Emirates he felt empty because he was so disappointed, but here he’s happy and today he had very good energy. We’re going to decide if he will play from the beginning or the bench but I am very optimistic because he showed very good energy in the training session.” – Mauricio Pochettino
As per usual, uncertainty reigns when it comes to Manchester City options as Benjamin Mendy (£6.1m) is reportedly feeling “much better” after suffering a relapse in his comeback from injury.
The Frenchman featured for half an hour against Burton Albion in the League Cup last week before struggling with some swelling his knee.
It goes without saying that his fitness has some links to Leroy Sané‘s (£9.7m) likeliness of starting, although the German does look pretty safe this time around, having missed both the League Cup and FA Cup matches over the last few days.
Outside of that, Vincent Kompany (£5.2m) and Claudio Bravo (£4.8m) are the only other absentees, making it quite difficult to predict who will play in central midfield or up front.
Kevin de Bruyne (£9.7m), David Silva (£8.5m), Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) are all options in the middle of the park while Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) appears to have the advantage over Gabriel Jesus (£10.1m) for the trip to Newcastle at least.
Arsenal will likely be forced to deploy Shkodran Mustafi (£5.4m) and Nacho Monreal (£5.4m) at centre-back against Cardiff, with Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m) ruled out through injury.
Having been rested for some big matches, Mesut Özil (£8.0m) could come back into the side, probably at the expense of Aaron Ramsey (£7.2m).
Callum Wilson (£6.5m) is a doubt for Bournemouth once again, this time following the knee problem sustained against West Ham. The Cherries’ striker faces a late fitness test, although Josh King (£6.3m) will probably feature, with Eddie Howe providing no update on the Norwegian’s knock ahead of Gameweek 24.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson revealed in his Tuesday press conference that all of his senior goalkeepers are now fit. That means he will have to decide which one of Vicente Guaita (£4.2m), Wayne Hennessey (£4.5m) or Julian Speroni (£3.9m) will get the nod for the trip to Southampton.
Mat Ryan (£4.4m) could return to action for Brighton against Fulham on Tuesday night following his return from the Asian Cup. Manager Chris Hughton revealed that he has a “decision” to make whether or not to throw him straight back into the side or give David Button (£4.0m) one more match.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) continues to be assessed ahead of Burnley’s trip to Manchester United, having missed the Clarets’ last two Premier League matches.
Phil Bardsley (£4.2m), who had started eight of the last nine Premier League outings at right-back, is also a doubt. That could prove useful information for owners of Anthony Martial (£7.3m) who looks set to line up on Manchester United’s left flank.
The top story at Fulham is the suspension of striker Aboubakar Kamara (£4.5m) for disciplinary reasons. He, therefore, won’t be involved for the visit of Brighton, and could even end up leaving the club.
New Huddersfield Town manager Jan Siewert will likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation in his first match in charge, his favoured system from time at Borussia Dortmund II.
As he has only just arrived in England it is difficult to accurately predict which players will get the nod, although he has recently been handed a fitness boost concerning Aaron Mooy (£5.0m).
The Australian international has returned to training following a lengthy lay-off with a knee problem, and is being assessed ahead of Gameweek 24.
Harry Maguire (£5.4m) should be back at the first time of asking for Leicrester, after being forced off in the 4-3 defeat to Wolves. The Foxes’ absence from the FA Cup gave the England centre-back enough time to recover.
His return to the side could temper expectations of a large win for Liveprool, as Leicester seemed to struggle in his absence at Molineux.
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