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Liverpool have some selection dilemmas going into Wednesday night’s Champions League game at Ajax.
It gets easier and harder after updates on who is traveling and who is not traveling with the first team to Amsterdam.
New signing Thiago Alacantara is expected to be unavailable, while Joel Matip is also a big doubt.
Matip, 29, went to scan on Sunday after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Andre Gomes of Everton (R) challenges the ball with Joel Matip during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson / Everton FC via Getty Images)
According to The ECHO, no lasting damage to a leg muscle has been detected, although the Cameroonian defender was absent from Tuesday’s session at Melwood.
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With Matip and Joe Gomez currently the only two Liverpool central defensive options available following Virgil van Dijk’s long-term injury and Dejan Lovren’s summer sale, coach Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to risk the former Schalke defender when the Reds kick off their inaugural European fight of the season.
It means Fabinho is expected to start as central defender with Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips on hold before the trip to Amsterdam.
The same precautions will be taken with summer addition Thiago, who was injured after a poor tackle by Richarlison that subsequently warranted a direct red card during the exciting derby draw at Goodison.
Thiago’s involvement will likely see Georginio Wijnaldum return to the starting eleven in the Spaniard’s place, while Naby Keita’s recent return to training following a negative COVID-19 test result could see him return to the mix.
New signings Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota are expected to travel and both could be featured in some way against the Eredivisie champions.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: (SUN OUT, SUN OUT SUNDAY) Liverpool’s Fabinho during a training session before the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam at Melwood Training Ground on October 20, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell / Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Including Van Dijk, there are three major omissions. Including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is still in the rehab phase of his recovery from injury.
The real problem is on defense, with Matip and Van Dijk absent from the trip to Holland.
This leaves Gomez as the only available player who is one of Klopp’s naturally adapted central defensive options.
Fabinho is the obvious choice to accompany the Englishman, although Williams and Phillips are also options. Throwing either of the two aforementioned young defensive duos would be a great decision for Klopp, especially given the caliber of the opponent.
Wijnaldum and club captain Jordan Henderson are also options on defense, given that Klopp has used both in that specific area in recent years.
Klopp is expected to provide an additional update on his players’ fitness and well-being when he faces the media on Wednesday night at 6pm.
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