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Salah still not fully fit

3 minute read

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed Mohamed Salah is still carrying a knock ahead of their clash with Luton on Wednesday evening.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. Picture: AAP Image

Dominik Szoboszlai (ankle), Allison (hamstring), Diogo Jota (knee), Curtis Jones (ankle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Thiago (hamstring), Joel Matip (ACL), Stefan Bajcetic (growing pains) and Ben Doak (MCL) are also sidelined and now Klopp has now confirmed that Darwin Nunez and Salah have been added to that list.

With Jota also out, it leaves Liverpool very thin in the striking department for the Premier League clash with Luton Town on Tuesday evening.

Salah made a goalscoring impact upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations in Saturday's 4-1 win over Brentford and managed 45 minutes but is still an injury doubt, according to Klopp.

"It is day by day as well with Mo. It's a similar area (hamstring) where he feels [fatigue] a little bit," said the German tactician.

"We have to see how it develops. It's nothing crazy, but we have to see."

Meanwhile, Klopp said of Nunez: "[Nunez] felt that in that game and there was nothing around. We go day by day."

Liverpool lead Manchester by one point and Arsenal by two points at the top of the Premier League standings.

Jota's lay-off is a big blow as he has hit form recently with five goals in seven matches and Jones' unavailability in an area already stretched presents added complications.

Jones' absence means Harvey Elliott or Ryan Gravenberch will most likely battle it out for the vacancy but beyond that the option is to drop forward Cody Gakpo back into a role he has fulfilled intermittently or bring in 19-year-olds James McConnell, who only made the first of his five senior appearances in October, or Bobby Clark, with seven appearances.

"We are where we are because of them, because the boys really delivered. We will see how many of them we will have to use and will give them the opportunity," added Klopp.

"We have still options there, definitely, players who showed already what they can do like James or Bobby and others who didn't feature yet but are in around that: (Lewis) Koumas, Dannsy (Jayden Danns), Trey (Nyoni) – they are all massive talents."

It places an additional burden on the regular senior midfielders Wataru Endo, just back from the Asian Cup, and Alexis Mac Allister, who is likely to get a run in his preferred midfield position rather than the holding role he has performed for most of the season.

"Footballers nowadays can play different positions. There is absolutely no doubt about it, you have to get rid of these clear structures of who is where," said Klopp.

"We don't restrict players. Attackers have to defend and defenders have to attack, that is the best way to describe it.

"Alexis is just incredibly important for us; the tactical (side), the brain to do that says everything about him as a player.

"I don't think he is really bothered about (where he plays), I've never heard anything about that he said he'd prefer to play higher."

 

 


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