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

Melissa Reddy

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

Jurgen Klopp's best friend, David Wagner, can amplify his worst period of frustration as Liverpool manager when Huddersfield line up at Anfield this weekend.

Saturday's fixture will be the first league meeting between the sides since February 1972, in which the Reds recorded a 1-0 victory. 

Terriers double chance 3/1 with dabble

Maximum points and a clean sheet against the Terriers again would be welcomed given Liverpool's 4-1 humiliation by Tottenham last time out - a consequence of their charitable, clueless defending.

The Merseysiders have registered just two wins from their previous 10 games in all competitions and need to urgently rediscover their groove before the club's ambitions for the season become void.


LIVERPOOL INJURIES


Philippe Coutinho is a doubt for the encounter having missed Thursday's session due to an adductor issue.

"Last week he had some back problems before the Tottenham match, but then during the week it settled with treatment and all that stuff, so he was fit for the game," Klopp explained.
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"This week he had a little bit of problem with the adductor. It’s not clear so far if he is out for tomorrow. We will make the decision today after training.
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"He didn’t train yesterday, that’s true, but that’s all for the moment."

Gini Wijnaldum, meanwhile, missed the sorry showing at Spurs after taking a knock to his knee in training, but is back in contention.

HD Gini Wijnaldum

Sadio Mane continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring issue, while Adam Lallana is still on schedule to return from his thigh injury after the upcoming international break.

Nathaniel Clyne, meanwhile, is still nursing a back problem.

“Very good, but no option for tomorrow, no option for Wednesday and no option for West Ham," Klopp said on the trio.

“After the international break, I think Adam and Sadio are back. It will be close, so hopefully they can train during the international break and be part of the normal training.

Sadio Mane Liverpool

“Adam was this week, for the first time, part of the warming up. His face showed how happy he was about this!

“I saw in the last hour them both with the fitness coaches on the pitch doing technical things and stuff like this, so it all looks good.

“In the end they all need to be at 100 per cent and they aren’t at the moment, so that’s it – but they’re on a good way.”


LIVERPOOL SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspension worries for this fixture.


LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


After watching Liverpool self-destruct at Wembley, Klopp declared the XI against Huddersfield is "an open race if you want – who shows to me that he wants to play. I don’t like situations like this, but it is like this – who shows me he is ready to show a reaction. We have to show a reaction."

Saturday's line-up will be hugely interesting then, particularly following Dejan Lovren's tactical first-half withdrawal against Spurs. Simon Mignolet and Joel Matip joined the Croatian in having an absolute stinker, while Joe Gomez didn't escape error-free either.

The rearguard should have some alterations, with Loris Karius and Ragnar Klavan hoping to elbow their way into the first XI. Gomez will want to move into the heart of defence ahead of the Estonian as was the case last Sunday. 

Possible LFC XI v Huddersfield

 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could earn his first league start for Liverpool this weekend, especially with Coutinho a doubt, but Klopp may opt to use him from the off against Maribor in the Champions League on Wednesday instead.

Andy Robertson will also be fighting to play ahead of Alberto Moreno, but similarly, may be a better bet in midweek.

James Milner and Wijnaldum will contest a midfield spot, but the former is also an option to line up at full-back on either flank. 

Klopp could go beyond refreshing the personnel and change the formation, with Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke hoping to get a look in as well with three games this week.


HUDDERSFIELD TEAM NEWS


Only three newly promoted sides have previously defeated both Liverpool and Manchester United in the same Premier League season, with Huddersfield out to become the first side to do within the same month.

Wagner's charges picked up their first win in seven Premier League outings by ousting the Old Trafford side at home last weekend and will want to turn in another impressive performance at Anfield.

Nemanja Matic Manchester United Aaron Mooy Huddersfield

If they manage to extend Liverpool's misery, the Terriers - only a point adrift of their opponents - would jump above them in the standings.

Huddersfield's aggressive, direct, tireless approach will prove testing, but with both managers believing in expansive, front-foot play, the encounter could be "cinema at its best" - to borrow Wagner's words.

The visiting boss will be without midfielder Philip Billing for around 12 weeks due to an ankle injury that requires surgery.

Jon Gorenc Stankovic (knee), Michael Hefele (Achilles) and Kasey Palmer (hamstring) are also unavailable.


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Liverpool have lost only one of their last 42 Premier League home games against newly-promoted sides, losing 1-2 vs Blackpool in October 2010 (W32 D9 L1) and are unbeaten in each of the last 19.

  • Liverpool have allowed their opponents to score from 20% of their total shots in the Premier League this season (16 of 79); more than any other team.

  • Mohamed Salah has scored five goals in his first nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool, level with Dirk Kuyt (5) and only fewer than Robbie Fowler at this stage of his Liverpool career in the competition (6).


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Kick off is at 3pm BST and the match will not be televised live in the UK.

Melissa Reddy

Melissa Reddy Photo