Darwin Nunez is a concern for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal after picking up an injury in Liverpool’s win over Chelsea in midweek.
The Uruguayan had his foot trodden on early in the game but completed 90 minutes.
However, he left Anfield in a protective boot.
A scan has shown no serious damage but Jurgen Klopp said on Friday that the striker would have to be assessed.
“I don’t know if Darwin is available or not. Darwin had, after 20 minutes, somebody stepped on his foot and it was very painful after the game. He only took the boot off after the game because he didn’t want to see it before. He knew there is something.
“So, he left the stadium in a [protective] boot – and it was not a football boot. Nothing broke, X-ray clear but swollen. We have to see if he can get this foot back into a boot or not because we all know that takes time. I didn’t see him this morning, so we have to wait a little bit.” – Jurgen Klopp
There was nothing else on the team news front from the Reds’ boss, not that we were expecting anyone else to return.
Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) are nearing returns but remain out, while Ben Doak (knee) and Joel Matip (knee) are longer-term absentees.
Thiago Alcantara (hip) has returned to training recently but also needs more time to build up match fitness, while Wataru Endo is still at the Asian Cup with Japan.
Away from injury news, did Klopp drop a hint that Liverpool were indeed going to get the much-hyped Double Gameweek 25?
“This week between Arsenal and Burnley is probably the only week, as far as I know, where we play only one… there’s no midweek game. After that we go again with all three days, I think.” – Jurgen Klopp
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of Monday’s clash with Brentford, so the guessing games begin as to which combination of players he opts for in west London.
“Everybody is fit, everybody is ready, so this is so important. A busy period is ahead of us with the Champions League around the corner, many, many games, so it is good to have everyone.” – Pep Guardiola
The City boss confirmed that Erling Haaland is ready to start, although that doesn’t necessarily mean much after he made similar comments about Kevin De Bruyne ahead of Gameweek 21 and the FA Cup clash at Spurs.
“He’s ready. Everyone is ready right now because they are not injured. As soon as they are on the bench, they are ready.” – Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland
Guardiola also confirmed that John Stones felt “really good” after his comeback against Burnley.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Alexander Isak (groin) has avoided serious injury and could even be involved against Luton Town on Saturday, despite limping out of the win over Aston Villa in midweek.
And there was further positive news from Newcastle assistant boss Jason Tindall, who revealed that Callum Wilson (calf), Harvey Barnes (toe), Jamaal Lascelles (calf) and Joe Willock (Achilles) are close to returns.
“There’s a potential [for more returns]. A couple of lads are getting closer. We’ve got another training session today so once training is done, we’ll assess the squad and assess where everyone is. It’s certainly getting better than what it was a few weeks ago.
“You’ve got Harvey, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock pretty close. Whether they’re going to be fit enough to be involved tomorrow, we’ll have to make that decision later on today after training. There is question mark over all three of them. Harvey and Callum are probably a little bit ahead of Joe but still, they are out on the field doing their stuff. We’ll just have to assess where they are and to make the right call as to whether we involve them or not.
“[Alex] is a lot better, he has improved. Wednesday, Thursday and this morning, there is an improvement. Again, he will be one that we have to assess after today to see if he makes tomorrow’s game or not. He has got a chance to be involved tomorrow but again that’s what we have to assess today, take advice from the medical team and see where we are at.
“Jamaal Lascelles, he’s another one that’s very close again, another one we’ll probably have to assess after today to see sort of how close he is. But he’s certainly not far away at all if he if he don’t make tomorrow.” – Jason Tindall
Tindall was filling in for Eddie Howe this morning as the Newcastle boss was absent through illness.
Elsewhere, Joelinton (quad), Sandro Tonali (ban), Nick Pope (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back) and Matt Targett (hamstring) remain out.
If Isak doesn’t feature and Wilson isn’t match fit, then Anthony Gordon will be leading the line against the Hatters.
“We know Ant can play anywhere across the front three positions. He played as a striker a lot actually when he was at Everton and the times he’s played up front for us, he’s done very well.
“Regardless of whether he plays on the left or on the right or whether he plays up front, we’re confident he’ll go out there, be a real threat for the opposition and deliver a good performance.” – Jason Tindall
CRYSTAL PALACE
There was mixed news on Michael Olise (hamstring) and Eberechi Eze (hamstring) in Roy Hodgson’s pre-match press conference.
Olise should be fit to feature but Eze faces a scan to determine the extent of the damage caused in Gameweek 22.
“Eze had a tightness in his hamstring so will be going shortly for a scan. I will have to wait, I suppose, to see what the result of that is.
“When it comes to Michael, I presume and hope that he’ll be OK because it was partly precautionary the reason why he came off. He thought he was beginning to feel signs of muscle fatigue come on so he asked to come off.
“When it came to Ebs, he didn’t ask to come off, that was something that happened during the course of the game so his muscle strain needs to be investigated.
“I don’t know with Eze but I don’t think that Olise will be out of this weekend’s game. We haven’t trained yet, he didn’t train yesterday because it was a second day of recovery so I didn’t see him. And we haven’t trained yet today but unless something happens today that I’m not aware of or not expecting, I think he will be avaiable for the game. But I can’t give you a 100% guarantee.” – Roy Hodgson
As for Joel Ward (hamstring), he’s been in individual training this week and the Eagles’ medical team will assess him this weekend before clearing him for a potential return to team training next week.
Cheick Doucoure (Achilles) and Rob Holding (ankle) remain out long term but new signings Daniel Munoz and Adam Wharton are available for selection.
CHELSEA
Romeo Lavia (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Marc Cucurella (knee), Robert Sanchez (knee) and Wesley Fofana (knee) are all still on the sidelines for the visit of Wolves.
Levi Colwill (tendon), absent in midweek, also remains a big doubt.
“I don’t believe. Today he didn’t train. If you ask me today, no, but we will see tomorrow his evolution.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Levi Colwill
Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring) is closing in on a return after months out and has rejoined training over the last couple of weeks but Mauricio Pochettino said that the Blues were waiting on “permission” from the medical team before he made a competitive comeback.
Nicolas Jackson, part of the Senegal squad knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Ivory Coast on Monday night, is back for this fixture.
Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to score at Anfield on Wednesday and will now be assessed to see if he can start in Gameweek 23.
“45 minutes, I think, was enough for him. We need to analyse and assess him if he can start.
“I hope that he can cope with the demands of the game and he can maybe play more than only 45 minutes. We need to keep working with him. After 6-7 months, always it is difficult for a player. But he is starting to show after playing 45 minutes, you can see, one option, one chance, and he was happy to score a great goal and show his quality.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Christopher Nkunku
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Pervis Estupinan is fit despite being withdrawn at half-time in Gameweek 22.
But the Seagulls will need to make a late decision on the involvement of Joao Pedro after his injury-enforced withdrawal in the thrashing at Luton Town.
James Milner’s midweek injury looks more serious and he is set to miss a succession of games.
Ansi Fati (muscle) is in contention for a place on the bench, however, after a return to training in the last week.
“James Milner is not available, I don’t know how much time but for the next two, three, four games I think he can’t play. Joao, tomorrow we decide.
“Ansu Fati maybe can come on the bench, I don’t know how much time he can play. Tomorrow morning we can speak with the medical staff and take the right decision.” – Roberto De Zerbi
Joel Veltman (knee), Solly March (knee) and Julio Enciso (knee) remain on the treatment table, while Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma are away on international duty.
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery confirmed on Friday that Pau Torres (ankle) is “getting better” and training individually but won’t be back to face Sheffield United this weekend.
The centre-half could be back in team training next week.
We await an update on Lucas Digne (hamstring), whose original timeframe for recovery has now passed.
Jhon Duran (hamstring), Tyrone Mings (knee) and Emi Buendia (knee) remain out, however.
ARSENAL
Thomas Partey (muscle) has suffered another setback and won’t be involved against Liverpool.
Jurrien Timber (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (international duty) also remain unavailable but Mohamed Elneny will presumably be in contention after Egypt were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
It’s as you were on the injury front, with no fresh concerns and no one expected back.
Giovani Lo Celso (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) remain on the treatment table.
Son Heung-min and Yves Bissouma are also still away on international duty.
Pape Matar Sarr could be involved, however, after Senegal’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We’ll see how it goes with [Sarr]. He’s had a long trip back so we’ll see how he holds up in training and make a decision around him.
“Everyone else got through the game ok, we’re the same as Wednesday night.” – Ange Postecoglou
MANCHESTER UNITED
Anthony Martial (groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount (calf) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (leg) look set to miss out on the visit of West Ham United.
But Victor Lindelof (groin) has been back in training and could feature, while Sofyan Amrabat is on his way back from the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Sofyan will return on Saturday in the training. Ty [Tyrell Malacia] and Mason Mount, I don’t expect them back, but Victor Lindelof, I think he is on his way back. He trained with the team on Wednesday and we have to see how far he is [along].
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also on the way back. He could be available but I don’t think he will make it for Sunday. But I’m not sure at this moment. There is a problem in his leg.” – Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag allayed fears that Lisandro Martinez is injured after the defender was sighted with an ice pack on his left foot after the seven-goal thriller at Molineux.
“It was a precaution. I took him off because, actually I had to sub Rasmus [Hojlund] because he was dead with all his running! But then we needed an extra header but, also for Licha, I think he is a long way out. We brought Harry on for [an] extra header and Omari Forson for Rasmus.” – Erik ten Hag
WEST HAM UNITED
Taking his press conference a mere 12 hours after full-time in the Bournemouth game, David Moyes couldn’t tell us much on the team news front but was hopeful that everyone had come through unscathed.
Vladimir Coufal returns from suspension, while Nayef Aguerd could be back after his early return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Said Benrahma remains banned, however, while Lucas Paqueta (calf) is likely to remain on the injury list.
Michail Antonio (knee) is back on the grass but too is unlikely won’t feature.
“It’s a really quick turnaround. We’re getting ourselves back together quickly but hopefully, everybody will be okay.
“There’s no more update from where we were. We’re still dealing with the layers who are injured at the moment. We’ve not had any more from the medical team to suggest that [Lucas Paquetá] is going to be back. No [fears about a long-term absence], we’ve said all along he’ll be out for a few weeks and I don’t think in any way he’ll be back for this weekend.
“Michail is coming on a little bit more. He’s doing some running on the grass now. He’s not worked with or trained with the team but he’s just training outside at the moment. I couldn’t give [a projected return date] at this moment.” – David Moyes
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola said he was unsure whether new loan signing Enes Unal would be available to make his Cherries debut against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Turkey international is currently sorting out visa issues in Spain and has yet to train with his new teammates.
Iraola also confirmed that there were no new injury scares from the draw at West Ham United on Thursday but added that none of his injured players will return.
Max Aarons (hamstring), James Hill (ankle), Tyler Adams (hamstring) and Ryan Fredericks (calf) remain out, then.
Dango Ouattara could be back from international duty, however, after Burkina Faso were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
There wasn’t much in the way of team news from Gary O’Neil, not that we’re aware of any fitness concerns at Albion.
Wolves will still be without Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee-chan, however, as they’re on international duty,
LUTON TOWN
Issa Kabore is back from the Africa Cup of Nations after Burkina Faso’s elimination, while Jacob Brown (knee) and Teden Mengi (knock) have been passed fit.
Mads Andersen (calf), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) and Tom Lockyer (health) are out.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Serge Aurier, Ibrahim Sangaré, Willy Boly and Ola Aina all remain on international duty but Moussa Niakhaté has returned after Senegal’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cheikhou Kouyaté has been granted time to stay in his homeland on compassionate grounds.
Loanee Nuno Tavares, ineligible to face his parent club in midweek, also now returns.
Divock Origi (muscle), thought to be surplus to requirements, was the only other flagged Forest player but Nuno Espirito Santo hinted at some other issues.
“We have problems, always problems. Let’s wait and see. It was a very hard period of games before, based on the same players always, without being able to rotate or rest anyone, so it’s normal that now some issues come along. But we still have to wait and see.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Very similar situation, I think it has to be Alvarez to make way. He's started almost every game this season, but not sure if that will change now KDB is fit
I haven’t looked into his methodology but I did notice on the BGW29 tab there’s some of his workings shown to the right and below with probabilities for each of the various elements building up the main table.
He’s obviously built up some sort of database of likelihoods, perhaps based on empirical data, perhaps combined with some sort of correlation coefficient. Anyway, it looks like there’s a robust process in place
Fair enough. I love probability but haven’t studied them for 30 years. I would imagine some educated guesses are better than others though. For instance, knowing the process and timescales for getting approvals from the council building control / safety advisory panel and knowing other potential timescale conflicts helps build a picture?
Don’t think so. Hojlund in slightly better form, but if it weren’t for last game we wouldn’t be considering him. I think there’s so many options this year for strikers and mids. Wouldn’t be in my top 15
I've done it, felt like the right thing to do. Its a move I would have been doing at some stage in the coming weeks and no other fires. Looking at it as more of a long-term move than this week to be honest, wouldn't have done it for a hit.
Less of a factor maybe but if Haaland does take off this week or even if he starts instead of Alvarez, this is the move everyone will be making who owns Alvarez so there is an element of pre-empting the price movements both ways, particularly on Julian.
In the same boat. Decided so far to hold out and swap next week. My thoughts are:
1. Both players always start when fit. 2. Haaland is ultra competitive and will be desperate to score again immediately. 3. If he starts, I think 90% he scores. The problem is he won't be content with just one. 4. I think Alvarez has been quite conscious of Haaland's impending return, and it shows in his recent performances. 5. Haaland will be keen to dominate the attack and Alvarez will be pushed out.
Not sure if writing this actually helped, or convinced me to -4 Alvarez to Haaland...
Already made my planned move of Joao Pedro > Haaland this week, I've got £3.1m in the bank and still have 1FT.. Raul now red flagged but is it worth a move, or do I roll? Alternatively.. do I need to make any other changes here?
Bowen to KDB this GW, and Alvarez to Haaland next week.
Think Alvarez starts, Haaland benched and comes on around 60.
Think Pep would of let him play the full 90 + injury time if he was to bench him this GW. Not to mention him scoring a brace and then being benched would send the wrong message to the rest of the team. Plus Haaland rusty and still needs to be eased in imo
I'm selling Gross, he has been shocking during the last two games. So if i'm selling, I will say Gross 😀 I do think Saka and co. will give as good as they get against Liverpool.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both likely to score is my answer. Trent's attacking returns are much more appealing. 9 times out of 10 I would not say Gusto, but this is possibly the 1
