Liverpool had a terrible season last time out due to wide ranging availability issues. Key players were missing for most of the season due to a sequence of unfortunate injuries. This campaign has already thrown up its own availability problems. Liverpool are reportedly set to refuse to release key players for international duty amid quarantine fears.
Availability issues last season
The Reds are going to be eager to avoid a repeat of last season.
Last term we saw every single senior centre back ruled out due to injury.
Throughout the squad players were dropping like flies.
Thiago was out for a while, Diogo Jota missed a few months.
Jordan Henderson missed the business end of the season.
All of the absences and the chopping and changing left the Reds struggling for a top four finish but somehow we ended up in 3rd place.
Thankfully we’re near enough back to a fully fit squad.
Liverpool refuse to release internationals
The Reds are staring down the barrel of further availability issues.
The forthcoming international break is set to cause a storm.
Due to quarantine restrictions the Reds could lose Mo Salah, Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho for up to three games.
Each player is likely to be called up for fixtures in red list countries, meaning they would have to quarantine upon their return.
According to Neil Jones, Liverpool won’t release any players who would have to quarantine.
The Egyptian FA has confirmed the Reds’ refusal to release Mo, though it has been reported that he can play in their away tie against Gabon.
What RTK has to say
We need to stand firm on this.
It is ridiculous to expect Liverpool to be without four starters for up to three games.
The quartet would miss games against Leeds United and Crystal Palace as well as a Champions League tie.
We can’t see this going any way other than a compromise, fingers crossed the issue is resolved soon.