Jurgen Klopp delivered some Liverpool team news on Thursday ahead of the visit to Leeds United. The Reds could be without several first-team stars.
The team news ahead of Leeds United vs Liverpool just isn’t clear – for either side. Issues with the Brazilian FA could lead to FIFA banning Brazil players this weekend.
That would leave Liverpool without Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino no matter how fit they are. Leeds would lose Raphinha on top of that, in a slight silver lining.
But Liverpool have some issues regardless, as Jurgen Klopp laid out on Thursday. The Reds’ boss gave a fitness update for several players.
Liverpool team news vs Leeds
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com that Takumi Minamino won’t play in this one after picking up an injury with Japan. Firmino, regardless of suspension, won’t feature either after his injury against Chelsea two weeks ago.
There’s one other doubt – James Milner. Milner has battled a problem for a few weeks now and still hasn’t trained. It’s unclear whether he’s ready or not.
But other issues have cleared up. Harvey Elliott is ‘fine’ after returning injured from England U21 duty, as is Virgil van Dijk – despite a scare.
Naby Keita is ready to play, as well, after a dangerous situation in his native Guinea. Liverpool’s no.8 is back on Merseyside and will rejoin training soon.
All in all, then, Liverpool are in okay shape but Klopp’s team will largely depend on whether Alisson and Fabinho can play. The injuries aren’t too bad, though, and should just take some managing over the next few weeks.
Liverpool certainly should have a decent squad to pick from, even without their star Brazilians. Enough to beat Leeds at Elland Road? You’d imagine so, though this will be a tough one.