Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool will be without two players for tomorrow’s visit of Arsenal.
The Reds are currently missing a number of important players, as they aim to navigate the busy Christmas schedule.
With Arsenal at Anfield tomorrow, there had been hope that the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota may be ready in time to face the Gunners.
But speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Klopp admitted that neither player will be fit enough.
“Macca and Diogo getting closer and closer but not ready for tomorrow,” said the manager.
Klopp rules out two
Although this is disappointing news, most Liverpool supporters will have been resigned to it by now. Both players are big misses, though.
With injuries elsewhere in the midfield, the Reds could do with Mac Allister’s calmness in the No.6 role. He brings something that others don’t to the role and that could be important tomorrow.
Jota meanwhile has a superb record against Arsenal. Like Roberto Firmino before him, the Portugal international just seems to love facing the Gunners.
Still, Liverpool have coped without both players for a little while already. It would have been great to have them in for this top-of-the-table battle, but the Reds will make do.
In terms of the midfield, Klopp also confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch will be available for selection at the weekend.
However, given that he’s played well over the last couple of games, we’d expect Wataru Endo to go again in Mac Allister’s place.
Up-front, it’s perhaps likely that Klopp will go with the seemingly first-choice three of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
Nunez is perhaps the most at risk though, with Cody Gakpo putting in a good performance midweek.
Either way, Liverpool fans should be feeling good about this weekend’s game. But we’ll be happy once these two are back in the side.
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