Jurgen Klopp will face a fitness battle in midfield when his Liverpool team face Wolves on Sunday.
Naby Keita’s injury threw a spanner in the works. The Guinean went off injured in the first leg against Barcelona, meaning Jordan Henderson didn’t get a rest.
Then, in the second leg, Gini Wijnaldum played far longer than planned after coming on for Andy Robertson.
Wijnaldum, Henderson, James Milner, and Fabinho all finished the game, playing at least 45 minutes each. None of Klopp’s midfielders will be fresh on Sunday as a result.
There’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana, of course, but their injuries mean they’re far from fit either.
It’ll be the biggest problem Klopp and Liverpool face when choosing the team for Wolves. The Barcelona game wasn’t just any old game, it was an exhausting contest full of pressing and chasing.
The midfield, in particular, felt this. How Klopp manages the situation could make or break Liverpool’s performance.
Does he drop a midfielder for a forward, meaning less exhausted players? Do Liverpool press less?
Wolves have a very good record against the top six teams. They’re good on the counter and will be confident they can compete.
Ruben Neves pulls the strings for them in the middle of the pitch – will Liverpool’s midfield be able to pressure him enough?
Liverpool must win, but the Barcelona game has certainly made things that little bit more difficult.
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