Liverpool’s problems in defence increased this week when Trent Alexander-Arnold (foot) and Joel Matip (fractured collarbone) picked up injuries in the win over Napoli on Tuesday, with Matip set to join Joe Gomez (leg fracture) in being unavailable for the rest of 2018.
There wasn’t quite such a set-in-stone prognosis for Alexander-Arnold, though, with Jurgen Klopp saying the following at today’s press conference:
With Trent, it’s not as serious as it is with the other two boys but of course it’s not top class news. Trent, we’ll have to see. For him, it’s day by day, what we judge it.
Klopp certainly intimated that he was planning for Alexander-Arnold’s absence for the visit of Manchester United, name-checking Nathaniel Clyne as he discussed his options at right-back:
It looks like [Clyne is ready]. Clyney was unfortunately injured in the last two-to-three weeks, nothing serious. Four days he’s been in full training. Is he ready for 90 minutes? I don’t know. But is he ready? Yes.
Jose Mourinho will make checks on several players, including Anthony Martial (hamstring) and five defenders, ahead of the trip to Anfield.
The United boss said:
In Valencia, only De Gea and Matic were available to play and didn’t travel by decision. Apart from that, the players that didn’t travel they… had injuries and they were not ready. All of them, they didn’t train yesterday again.
Today there will be a little introduction to training to see [if we can] have them available for Sunday. It’s better not to say for sure but I hope that some will be… let’s say available. But for sure, some will not be.
Pep Guardiola has made a habit of being evasive when asked about Manchester City’s team news but the former Barcelona boss at least provided us with some positive news on Sergio Aguero (muscle) and Kevin De Bruyne (knee):
[Aguero] did the last two training sessions. He has no pain, so after [today’s session] we are going to decide.
[De Bruyne is] the same case [as] Sergio. Yesterday he trained, he trained quite well, no pain, we will see.
John Stones (knee) is among the walking wounded who will be assessed, though David Silva (muscle) will be sidelined for the next three weeks.
Idrissa Gueye (knock) is Everton’s only injury doubt for that encounter City, with all of the Toffees’ Fantasy favourites seemingly fit for the daunting trip to the Etihad.
Alvaro Morata picked up a knee injury in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with MOL Vidi last night, though Maurizio Sarri doesn’t think the problem is too bothersome.
The Blues’ head coach said on Thursday:
The first reaction of the doctor is that maybe it’s not a very serious injury. In this kind of situation, we have to wait until tomorrow to be sure the injury is not serious.
Arsenal have issues at centre-back with Rob Holding (knee), Dinos Mavropanos (groin), Shkodran Mustafi (suspended and hamstring) and Sokratis Papastathopolous (suspended), while Unai Emery had words of reassurance for Alexandre Lacazette‘s owners, after the Frenchman started in the Europa League on Thursday:
Lacazette, I think he needs rhythm to play and it’s not bad for him to play today. We decided for this reason and because every player who played today can play Sunday.
Spurs’ own defensive crisis shows sign of easing, with four of their backline – Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez – in contention to return against Burnley on Saturday.
The Clarets may be missing Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who is “touch and go” for the trip to Wembley.
Callum Wilson (hamstring) is back in contention for Bournemouth, with Eddie Howe saying this on the in-form striker:
Callum Wilson has recovered well following his hamstring injury. We’re hoping he can play, but we know we have to be careful with these kind of injuries.
Nuno Espirito Santo didn’t report any fresh injury concerns in his presser on Friday, meanwhile.
Patrick van Aanholt (shoulder) is fit to play for a Crystal Palace side missing the suspended Wilfried Zaha and James Tomkins, while Leicester City could welcome back Jamie Vardy (muscle) for the match at Selhurst Park.
Ben Chilwell (knee) is a doubt, however.
Lucas Perez (foot) is a concern for Manuel Pellegrini ahead of their match against Fulham, who have Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (suspended) and Maxime Le Marchand (unspecified injury) sidelined.
Andre Gray (leg), Will Hughes (hip), Sebastian Prodl (knee) and Adalberto Penaranda (foot) are missing for Watford, while Cardiff City could have Kenneth Zohore (match fitness) back in the fold.
Danny Ings, Shane Long and Cedric Soares could all return for Southampton against Arsenal, meanwhile.
Huddersfield’s midfield options are thin on the ground with Aaron Mooy and Danny Williams (both knee) likely out until February, though Philip Billing returns from suspension.
Newcastle United have Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) and Federico Fernandez (calf) unavailable for their meeting with the Terriers.
Jose Izquierdo (knock) will be assessed by Chris Hughton ahead of Brighton’s match with Chelsea, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh is back to full fitness.
As usual, our Team News tab has more detailed information on all the latest injuries and bans, and also contains our predicted line-ups for all 20 Premier League sides.
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5 years, 4 months agoKola or Luiz?