BEVERLY HILLS, November 20, (THEWILL) – In what was a bleak injury-strewn international break for English Premier League side Liverpool, the Anfield outfit has been handed a huge boost ahead of their top of the table clash with Leicester this weekend.
There were positive signs after Andy Robertson and Fabinho stepped up their preparations to return and joined in training. In more good news for manager Jurgen Klopp, midfielder Thiago Alcantara also joined up with the first-team squad for their training session on Thursday.
Left back Robertson had a hamstring problem after Scotland’s epic European Championship play-off victory over Serbia via penalty shootouts.
But the defender featured in the midweek defeat by Israel and returned to Liverpool on Thursday. He was among the first-team players to take part in training.
Central midfielder Fabinho had been struggling with an injury since October. But, he joined Robertson in training, which of itself, is a huge boost for Klopp.
Also in with others at training on Thursday was central defensive midfielder Thiago. The Spaniard was on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Everton’s Richarlison, which has temporarily kept him from joining training.
Yet, Klopp still faces a selection headache ahead of the Leicester fixture, especially at the back. Defender Joe Gomez sustained a potentially serious knock while on England duty. The centre-back will be on the sidelines along with mercurial Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. The shortage at the back for Klopp is huge enough to give him some sleepless nights.
To compound their defensive issues further, the Reds are also without right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who is out with a calf injury. This leaves Robertson as the only member of Klopp’s first-choice back four available for action.
19-year-old Welsh right back Neco Williams is set to step in place of Alexander-Arnold. Klopp will consider it good fortune that Joel Matip is available emerging as the most senior centre-back. Nathaniel Phillips, back from his loan spell at Stuttgart last season, is next in line after staying put at the club over the summer.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
