Which players are likely to be unavailable when Liverpool take on Crystal Palace?…
Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday with Emre Can regarded as a major doubt after the midfielder was unable to take part in Germany’s friendlies against Spain and Brazil.
Can, who is likely to be replaced by either James Milner or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if unavailable, suffered a back injury during the 5-0 win over Watford a fortnight ago and was again unable to train at Melwood on Thursday.
Another player struggling for fitness is Joe Gomez, who picked up an ankle injury playing for England against the Netherlands last Friday.
He too was unable to train on Thursday but there was better news for fellow defender Andrew Robertson who took part in the full session despite being forced off playing for Scotland against Hungary with a dead leg.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most likely to replace Gomez at right-back, although Kop boss Jürgen Klopp could opt to hand fit-again Nathaniel Clyne his first appearance of the season.
Possible Liverpool X1 |
For Palace, on-loan Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could start after making his first appearance of 2018 prior to the international break, while striker Connor Wickham is also closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury.
Alexander Sørloth (hamstring), Joel Ward (unspecified muscular) and Jeffrey Schlupp (ankle) are all rated doubtful but Wilfried Zaha should be available despite returning early from Ivory Coast duty with a knock.
Definitely unavailable to Eagles manager Roy Hodgson are long-tern absentees Bakary Sako (ankle), Julian Speroni, Jason Puncheon and Scott Dann (all knee).
Neither side has anyone ruled out through suspension but, should he be passed fit, Can needs to avoid a yellow card otherwise he will trigger a two-match ban for picking up his 10th booking of the season.
This, Liverpool’s 32nd league fixture of the campaign, is the last match in which that particular suspension can be triggered.
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