Michael Mongie addresses Liverpool’s injury concerns ahead of Monday night’s clash with Manchester United.
Liverpool hosts Manchester United at Anfield on Monday and the clash could not be more eagerly anticipated by either fanbase. Three points and two places on the league table separates the two clubs.
As far as Liverpool is concerned, there are a number of issues that are causing more than a few fans to stress. The Reds’ explosive form over the last week has been the result of cohesive team performances, but at the core of this has been a number of players that are clicking into gear under Jürgen Klopp.
Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne all picked up injuries against Swansea City, while Gini Wijnaldum suffered a hamstring strain against France in Holland’s World Cup qualifier last night. Klopp will be anxious to see if his stars will recover in time to train before playing United.
Adam Lallana
It’s safe to say that Lallana has been Liverpool’s best player this season. The Englishman has scored three goals and assisted a further three. The last two months have been a continuation of his revival under JürgenKlopp’s tutelage.
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The former Southampton skipper being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month for September is just validation for the purple patch that he’s been going through.
Lallana’s groin injury could keep him from playing against Manchester United which would be terrible news as the attacking midfielder has been crucial to Liverpool’s high-pressing game this season.
Dejan Lovren
Dejan Lovren also picked up a groin injury against Swansea, however, the Croatian was able to complete the game whereas Adam Lallana only lasted 23 minutes before being withdrawn.
Similar to Lallana, Lovren is a player who has excelled under Klopp and has looked a beast this season. His defensive partnership with Joel Matip, despite looking fragile for a few minutes in Wales, is blossoming.
If Liverpool is to keep the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet on Monday, Klopp will need his full strength defence and Lovren is a big part of this.
Nathaniel Clyne
The issue that puts Nathaniel Clyne in danger of missing the game against Manchester United is one that the fullback has been struggling through for a few weeks. Clyne has been playing through a knee issue and it would seem he has reached the end of his tolerance as he has used the international break so far to recuperate.
Clyne’s importance to the team cannot be overstated. He is never out of position and, bar his hand in Sam Vokes’ goal at Turf Moor, is never at fault for any of the goals Liverpool concedes.
Not only is his defensive side of the game sound, he is an important part of the team’s attack and offers width in a team positively littered with attacking midfielders.
Georginio Wijnaldum
What seems to have been the final straw for some fans, Gini Wijnaldum suffered a hamstring injury last night while playing for Holland.
The midfielder pulled up sharply and it was clear that he’d done his hammy. He was examined by the Dutch team’s physio before being substituted. There is no chance that he won’t miss some part of Liverpool’s season, but whether it’s just the game against United or several weeks, Klopp is not one to risk throwing him in just to win one game but then risk the rest of the campaign.
Glenn Price, ESPN’s Liverpool correspondent, reports that Wijnaldum will undergo a scan tomorrow at the earliest.
Inside Futbol has reported that Danny Blind, Holland’s manager has shed some light on Wijnaldum’s injury.
“Gini had some slight hamstring problems,” Blind was quoted as saying by beIN Sports.
“He told me during half time that he needed to be subbed in the second half.”
It will be a bloody miracle if all four players mentioned in this article play against Manchester United, but I reckon that Klopp will definitely rest Wijnaldum, even if it’s just as a precaution.
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