Liverpool will return to Premier League action on Boxing Day, but they will be without at least six key players
Liverpool will be missing at least six senior players for the start of the Premier League season, with Jurgen Klopp hoping that more will not be away due to the sickness that has swept through the club.
James Milner is certain to miss the festive season after injuring his hamstring in Thursday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City, a game Roberto Firmino missed due to a calf problem picked up during training earlier in the week.
Long-term absentees include Luogo Jota and on-loan Arthur Melo, and with World Cup finalist Ibrahima Konate not returning to training until next Tuesday, Klopp’s options have grown limited ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Aston Villa.
“Milly will be out for a couple of games,” the Reds’ manager revealed on Friday. “The same goes with Bobby. Bobby is already on the right track.
It was only a few days ago, and it’s not a big deal, so we’ll take it day by day with him.”
Liverpool have not been immune to the viruses that are now afflicting a significant section of the public, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and a number of backroom staff all being struck down.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was fit enough to play in the second half against City, and Klopp is optimistic. Virgil van Dijk, who was allowed an extended sabbatical after his World Cup exploits with the Netherlands, will also return to Villa Park.
However, Klopp concedes that he expects Liverpool’s preparations for Aston Villa to be hampered by illness.
“Ox is OK,” Klopp replied. “He, like Trent, was sick. Some of the employees as well. That’s why, like everyone else, we need to be cautious right now; I believe it’s spreading.
“It has made planning for the following game quite difficult. We knew exactly what we intended to do against City, but we had to adjust it almost at the last second. That’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of the situation.
“That might happen again against Aston Villa. We must remain adaptable. Virg has trained normally and will be there, and Trent, hopefully, will be better. He wasn’t present for the entire session, but he was there in sections, so we’ll see how this plays out.”
When asked when Konate will be back in training with Liverpool, Klopp said, “His first session will be on the 27th.”
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