Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Burnley

Melissa Reddy

Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Burnley image

Liverpool want to start 2018 in the same manner as they ended the previous year - with a league victory to solidify their spot in the top four and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 games.

Burnley, as they proved in this exact fixture last season, will be frustrating opponents. Sean Dyche's men, sat in seventh - just below Arsenal - have had an excellent season thus far and could yet challenge for a place in Europe next season.


LIVERPOOL INJURIES


The explosive Mohamed Salah, who has 23 goals in all competitions, is a doubt for the trip. "I don’t know in this moment exactly [what it is], but he was limping," Jurgen Klopp explained after the 2-1 victory over Leicester City on Saturday.

"That’s never a good sign, to be honest. We have to see what his problem was. We will see what he can do for the next game."

Jurgen Klopp Mo Salah

Captain Jordan Henderson has sustained a grade two tear in his right hamstring that will see him sidelined for around four weeks.

He could return sooner, as the Reds boss explained: "It depends on the healing process and if the player is a quick healer or not. There are big differences between individuals. Hendo starts running outside today, [at] which pace and whatever we will see but he is on a good way.

"I don’t want to say any date because on the one side it would maybe put pressure on him, which he really doesn’t need, and on the other side it would look like we would not have the player for the next six to eight weeks and that’s not true at all. We have to wait. Hendo is a rather quick healer, he is on a good way and is desperate to be back on the pitch, so hopefully it is not too long."

Daniel Sturridge has a minor muscle problem to shake off but Nathaniel Clyne (back) and Alberto Moreno (ankle) remain unavailable for selection. On the latter, Klopp said: ​"He is probably the quickest healer in the squad but still I am not sure. He is [out of] the next two games and I think I should have to involve the third game as well [against Everton].

"Then we have around about nine days between Everton and [Manchester] City and that could be the first [game] for him then."


SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspension concerns for this fixture.


LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


With uncertainty surrounding Salah and the Egyptian due a rest regardless, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke will eye a starting spot at Burnley.

The latter could also be used in midfield, where he has been very effective.

Sadio Mane should be retained in the XI given he was rested against Swansea and was withdrawn on 72 minutes at Anfield over the weekend. 

Gini Wijnaldum is a fresh option in the centre of the park, as is Adam Lallana. 

Simon Mignolet will return in goal with Loris Karius moving to the bench. 

Possible Liverpool XI v Burnley


BURNLEY TEAM NEWS


“It’s not a friendly game for us, it’s a very important game for us, it’s three points to get against a very strong side in an outstanding moment in the league. They are a really good, organised side,” Klopp said of Monday's opponents.

"I know how difficult it is to swim with the big fishes in the league and obviously they swim quite well. each year creates a story and this year it is the Burnley story.

“I think my friend Dave (Wagner, Huddersfield manager) said it compares with what Pep (Guardiola) is doing at City – an outstanding season – Burnley and Sean Dyche are doing exactly the same under completely different circumstances.

Sean Dyche Burnley

“I really respect them and appreciate them. That’s it. They can win all the games in the season apart from the games against us. They are really organised and it is quite difficult.”

Defender James Tarkowski returns from a three-match ban. Stephen Ward (knee) and Chris Wood (leg) are doubtful.

Robbie Brady (knee) and Tom Heaton (shoulder) remain sidelined.


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Kick off is at 3pm (8am CT) and the match will not be televised live in the UK.

In the United States (US), Premier League matches can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Liverpool have gone 15 games in all competitions without defeat (W10 D5) – their joint-longest unbeaten run under Jurgen Klopp (also a 15-game run ending in November 2016).

  • Burnley conceded three goals in their last home Premier League match against Spurs – as many as they’d conceded in their previous nine at Turf Moor this season.

  • Liverpool have won only one of their last seven away league games played on January 1st (D3 L3), beating Ipswich 2-1 in 1994.

Melissa Reddy

Melissa Reddy Photo