Liverpool still have a couple of issues to contend with ahead of Burnley’s trip to Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat by Arsenal as the take on Vincent Kompany’s relegation battlers.
Jurgen Klopp is already set to be without Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian had been reported to be set for an extended period on the side-lines yesterday. Read our exclusive this morning on the latest surrounding Szoboszlai’s injury.
The 23-year-old’s absence opens up a spot in the midfield for Liverpool. After Klopp was spotted going berserk at him on Sunday, it feels unlikely that Ryan Gravenberch will keep his place either.
One man who could perhaps step in is the fit again Thiago Alcantara. The 32-year-old made his long awaited return against Arsenal. He’s finally available. However, according to the Liverpool ECHO, Reds fans may have to wait a little longer to see Thiago on the starting team sheet.
They claim that Liverpool’s No.6 is ‘unlikely to be considered’ for a start against Burnley. The game seemingly comes a little too soon for him. There is good news in the shape of Wataru Endo coming back from Asian Cup duty, though. Endo is reportedly set to be available for the weekend.
Thiago not ready to start
In light of Szoboszlai’s injury, it would have been a boost if Thiago had been able to slot straight in in his place.
However, given how long he’s been out – and his history with injury prior to that – Liverpool need to be very careful with the former Bayern Munich midfielder. They don’t want to risk him breaking down again.
As a result, it would seem like the right decision to hold Thiago back for Saturday. Had it been more of a crunch game, maybe it would have been worth risking him.
But with all due respect, Liverpool should be absolutely fine against Burnley without their midfield maestro. They’ve made it this far without him this season after all.
Without Szoboszlai – and with Gravenberch likely to be dropped – Klopp still has options.
You could see Endo coming straight back in perhaps, with Alexis Mac Allister finally released from the shackles of his more defensive role. Curtis Jones is always around and with Andy Robertson fit again, the manager could shift Joe Gomez to right-back and drop Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
With another week after Saturday’s game until they next play, we’d suggest that Thiago might well be in line to start moving forward. It would be great if he could establish himself back in the team until the end of the season.
That won’t be this weekend, but it even if it’s just another cameo, it’s simply ‘incredible’ to have Thiago as an option once more.
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