Jurgen Klopp set for first XI boost Liverpool missed all last season

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Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are set for a first XI boost they lacked all of last season. It’s been a bizarre period for the Reds.

There were a couple of injury boosts for Liverpool on Friday. First, it was confirmed that Jordan Henderson and Thiago are available for selection against Burnley today.

Both missed the win over Norwich City but they’re now back in the squad. We don’t know if Jurgen Klopp will deem them ready or not but he’s got the option.

Then we got a little bit of a surprise. The Athletic claimed that Andy Robertson is back in full training and should start against Chelsea next week.

The full-back injured ligaments in the final week of pre-season. Fortunately, the damage was minimal and he’s soon ready to go again.

And with that, Klopp gets a boost to his first XI that he hasn’t had before.

Klopp, Liverpool get first XI boost

Klopp may actually get to put out his first XI next week against Chelsea – assuming nothing goes wrong between now and then. And that’s notable.

But only because he’s never been able to put it out before. Despite that first XI being exactly the same as last season.

Pretty much everyone would agree that this is the Reds’ best team:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – Matip/Gomez – Van Dijk – Robertson
Fabinho
Henderson – Thiago
Salah – Firmino – Mane

That’s the plan this season and it was the plan last season. Only, they’ve never played together.

The closest we came was on October 17th last season at Everton. That exact outfield 10 took the field for the one and only time (with Joel Matip at the back). Alisson Becker, however, was missing – Adrian played in goal.

That, of course, was the same game where Virgil van Dijk was injured and ruled out for the entire season. It meant the XI never played another game together.

In fact, Thiago would be out for the following two months. Joe Gomez was done by then, while Matip would be ruled out the following month. February was the end of Jordan Henderson’s season, too.

So if all goes to plan, Klopp can finally call on that XI against Chelsea next week. It should have happened a year ago but we’ve been made to wait.

Hopefully, it proves worth it.