This is the last thing they need.
Only this week Jurgen Klopp insisted that his current Liverpool squad is strong enough to cope with the rigours of a season including Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League football – as long as they don’t succumb to an injury crisis with numerous players out at once.
“If they [the Liverpool squad] are all fit and available then yes, if we have injuries then no,” Klopp responded, when asked whether his options were sufficient for the long season ahead.
We’re only half way through August, and the German is already without the services of Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, and Philippe Coutinho (transferitis), and now it seems that exciting youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold needs a rest ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash with Crystal Palace.
But even worse news, to compound all those losses, is the fear that Sadio Mane won’t be available against the Eagles either, due to a tight hamstring concern. Whether the niggling strain will keep him out of subsequent games remains to be seen, but Liverpool fans have reacted with dismay and understandable frustration.
It never rains, it pours on the red half of Merseyside these days…
https://twitter.com/o_olawale_o/status/898830115878166528
Mane and Trent likely to miss today.
— Juma Hamso Liverpool (@hamsojumahamso) August 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/tomfurlong_/status/898830139852718080
https://twitter.com/mainstandred/status/898830194286276610
Mane to miss Palace game. If we don't at least try to buy Draxler, with all the money burning our pockets, I don't understand LFC anymore.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 19, 2017
Mané not starting, apparently. Think Paul Joyce said something about a tight hamstring.
— Andrew Fanko (@afanko) August 19, 2017