Jurgen Klopp says 24-year-old Liverpool player may miss Crystal Palace game now

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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool may have another injury issue ahead of playing Crystal Palace.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Liverpool on the injury-front. Having already been missing four ‘big’ players, they saw Joel Matip pick up a season-ender against Fulham at the weekend.

With that news fresh in the mind, every Reds fan will have been worried to see Alexis Mac Allister go down with a knee issue early into last night’s win over Sheffield United. Thankfully, Mac Allister was able to soldier on until around an hour into the game, but was then unable to continue further.

After the game, Klopp spoke to BBC Sport to address exactly what happened with the 24-year-old.

“He got a cut there,” explained the Liverpool manager. “He put his boot on his knee and he got a cut there. As long as the wound was open he could move but we stitched it at half time and it was a bit tighter and he felt it and he couldn’t go.

“I don’t know how quickly that will go now. Could be a bit tight for Crystal Palace but hopefully after that he will be ready again.”

Liverpool feeling injury pinch

With so many games in such a short period across the winter months, it’s always a bit of a struggle to get through it intact.

This year has been no different, with Liverpool having to ride a number of impactful injuries.

Obviously, the Matip issue is a heart-breaker. Not only had the 32-year-old been playing really well, but he’s also into the last year on his contract. Unless there’s an unexpected extension from Liverpool, he won’t play for the club again.

Alisson Becker is also still missing, while Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson and Thiago Alcantara will play no part against Palace, either.

So, with that in mind, Liverpool could really do without losing Mac Allister, too.

Nevertheless, if there was a game to lose the World Cup winner for, then perhaps this is it. Having started both last night and at the weekend, you’d imagine Macca may have been in line for a rest on Saturday anyway.

Wataru Endo had another fine game in defensive midfield yesterday and is fine to go again at Selhurst Park. The Reds should be able to cope without their No.10 for this one.

Therefore, the smart thing to do would be to leave Mac Allister at home. There’s no need to risk re-opening the wound ahead of big games against Manchester United and Arsenal. By the sounds of things, he’ll be more than ready for those and after seeing Macca on the deck for a good few minutes last night, that’s a real relief.