Liverpool have suffered a series of unfortunate events in recent weeks and months. The Reds face something of an uphill battle this winter as a result. Some aren’t confident that the side will be able to come through the challenge. Ex-Monaco sporting director Tor-Kristian Karlsen has said that Liverpool are ‘outsiders’ for the title due to the injury crisis.
Tor-Kristian Karlsen has said that Liverpool are ‘outsiders’ for the title due to the injury crisis. (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool injury crisis
What is happening at Liverpool at the moment feels even worse than an injury crisis. This is just downright awful luck.
The Reds went into the season with just three senior centre backs and one makeshift centre back, of the four there is only one left standing.
Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season after rupturing his ACL courtesy of Jordan Pickford.
Joel Matip is sidelined with a muscle problem and when he will be back remains a mystery.
Fabinho picked up a hamstring injury against FC Midtjylland and we are still waiting to learn the extent of this injury.
This has left Joe Gomez as the only fit centre back in the senior squad.
Karlsen on Liverpool
Ex-Monaco sporting director Tor-Kristian Karlsen has said that he doesn’t envy the Liverpool manager as Klopp faces up the monumental challenge posed by the injury crisis. The former Watford scout told VG in Norway:
“That Van Dijk was injured was in itself a disaster. Then Fabinho is also injured. It is clear that they are greatly reduced [in numbers in defence]. I don’t envy Klopp and the sports apparatus of Liverpool at all in the task of solving this.”
“There are big challenges, and the defensive position is, from experience, the most difficult position to find someone new in. This complicates the season for Liverpool very much.”
“They go well from being a favorite to becoming outsiders here [to win the title].
What RTK has to say
Outsiders is a bit much mate.
Jürgen Klopp has led us through tough challenges in the past, this is arguably his toughest challenge yet and we are positive he will rise to the task.
If it all goes wrong then we can chalk it up to the unfortunate series of injuries and learn for future that we can’t gamble on player’s fitness levels – we need more depth.
Having said that, we are confident in Jürgen’s ability to motivate his players through this tough period.