Jurgen Klopp has a new injury concern for Liverpool’s trip to Brighton this weekend, with Fabio Carvalho now ruled out.
The Reds have a number of issues currently plaguing their forward line. And speaking in his pre-match press conference today, Klopp admitted that Carvalho has now joined the injured ranks. However, it doesn’t sound as though the 20-year-old will be missing for too long.
“All we had this week, Fabio Carvalho’s out, he had a little thing,” said the manager. “Maybe he can train today, but he won’t be 100 per cent ready for the weekend.”
Klopp also confirmed that James Milner is fully fit having missed training yesterday. Meanwhile Nat Phillips may miss Sunday’s game through illness.
“Milly was not in training for one day but he’s fine, it was not an injury reason. Nat has a proper, proper cold,” the Liverpool manager concluded.
The Reds will be looking to avenge the 3-0 loss from two weeks ago as they continue their FA Cup defence.
No place for Carvalho right now
The case of Carvalho has been a tricky one to crack since the World Cup break. Having started, and scored in the first game back against Manchester City, he’s only featured in one of the seven games since.
That’s in stark contrast to his opening months at Anfield. Despite being signed for less than £8m this summer, he has featured heavily as Liverpool struggle to get going.
Even when his own performances have dipped, Klopp has appeared to keep faith in him. With the City game actually being one of his better displays, it’s strange that the boss would choose now to bomb him out the side.
It’s even more strange when you consider that Liverpool have so little forwards. Operating without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, you’d think now would be the time for Carvalho to step up. It hasn’t turned out that way though, and that will be frustrating for the youngster. A little knock will be the source of more frustration.
In normal circumstances perhaps he would have been in-line to start an FA Cup tie away to Brighton. But this hasn’t been a normal season, Liverpool need to win here. With a whole week in-between there last game, and another week until their next, Klopp will surely go strong.
So, injury or not, there’s no place for Carvalho at the moment.
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