Liverpool injury news: Midfield pair ruled out for Spurs and Man Utd games
By David Gate
Liverpool will be without midfield duo James Milner and Naby Keita for the matchups with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United through injury.
Liverpool are facing a crucial month in the Premier League title race with back-to-back games against ‘big six’ opposition in the next 10 days. However, the Reds will be missing Naby Keita and James Milner with injury for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur and visit of Manchester United.
Both players are suffering with muscle injuries; Keita from the pre-game warmup against Sheffield United and Milner from last weekend’s win over Everton in the FA Cup.
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Both were expected to miss tomorrow’s game against Spurs but Jurgen Klopp confirmed today that they will also be out for the Man Utd game next weekend.
The official LFC site quotes Klopp as saying:
"“James and Naby are not available. Both are muscle injuries, different and for different people, so we see how quick they will be… For sure, not for this weekend, not for next week, but then we will see.”"
That news limits the manager’s options for the Spurs matchup with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum set to start. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be ready to feature after coming off the bench as a substitute last weekend.
However, the boss could reward Adam Lallana for his excellent display in midfield in the Merseyside derby. He bossed the Blues all game and was a huge reason why the young side triumphed and moved on to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Curtis Jones claimed man-of-the-match in that game but is likely to be back on the bench and may not even be named as a sub if both Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri are fit enough to be considered as replacements.
You can watch the whole press conference here:
There was a low-level of panic when Fabinho picked up an ankle injury at the end of November but the side have not dropped a beat – winning every Premier League game, clinching the World Club Cup and progressing in both the FA Cup and Champions League in his absence.
However, I’m sure the manager will be delighted to have the influential Brazilian back in contention soon.