The Reds return to Premier League action at the John Smith’s Stadium this weekend looking to continue their unbeaten league run
It’s back! The Premier League returns this weekend as Liverpool look to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season.
Having scraped a draw with Manchester City last time out, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be looking for a first win in four games when they travel to Huddersfield Town for the Saturday evening game,
The international break has not been particularly kind to the Reds, with injuries biting in key areas, but with the fixture list looking rather inviting they will be confident of racking up some important results over the next few weeks.
Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of their trip to the John Smith’s Stadium…
Where to start? Liverpool’s international break has been hellish, with the problems mounting for Klopp.
They already had a concern over James Milner, who was forced off with a hamstring problem against Manchester City. The midfielder has not yet been ruled out of the Huddersfield game, however, having been pictured in training on Thursday. Maybe he really is a machine!
Mohamed Salah, too, was among those at Melwood two days out from the game despite having returned early from international duty with Egypt due to a muscular problem.
Sadio Mane, meanwhile, is more of a doubt after he suffered a broken thumb with Senegal, and would need some sort of protective cast to appear in West Yorkshire.
Virgil van Dijk was another to return early, sent back by the Netherlands as he continues to manage a rib problem, but the defender is expected to be fine for the weekend.
Naby Keita, though, is not. The midfielder picked up a hamstring issue on duty with Guinea and is likely to be miss at least a fortnight.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a long-term absentee, though Adam Lallana is fit to return to action if called upon.
Liverpool do not have any suspended players for this game.
A tough one, this, with late decisions to be taken on a number of players.
Van Dijk is the likeliest of those injured in the last fortnight to start while Salah has the best chance of the rest of being named in Klopp’s 11.
Liverpool have decent options. Trent Alexander-Arnold could return at right-back with Joe Gomez moving inside to partner Van Dijk – assuming Klopp prefers the youngster to Dejan Lovren.
Midfield could see Fabinho drafted in alongside Jordan Henderson with Gini Wijnaldum freed to play a more attacking role.
And in the front three, one or both of Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge could come in alongside Roberto Firmino. Lallana, too, will be desperate for a start.
Huddersfield will be without defender Terence Kongolo, who has a hamstring issue, and midfielder Danny Williams, who has been nursing a knee problem.
They have numerous concerns elsewhere too. Aaron Mooy has a groin problem, while Philip Billing and Chris Lowe have knocks.
Ramadan Sobhi, Tommy Smith and Abdelhamid Sabiri are also doubts due to minor issues.
The fixture will be broadcast live on UK TV this weekend, screened on BT Sport, kick-off 5.30pm BST. In the United States the game can be watched live on television on NBC Sports, kick off 12.30pm ET.
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