Liverpool’s matchup against Union SG in the Europa League group stage on Thursday at Anfield will be missing attacker Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo suffered a knee injury while scoring in the Reds’ contentious 2-1 Premier League loss at Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday. The Dutchman is reportedly facing several weeks of recovery time.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, a midfield combo for Liverpool, will also be out as they continue to heal from hip and calf issues, respectively. However, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, who were both dismissed against Spurs, are eligible for selection in Europe.
Alisson Becker, the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, is anticipated to be replaced by Caoimhin Kelleher on Thursday, and Jurgen Klopp may opt to use the same lineup that defeated LASK Linz 3-1 in their Group E opener two weeks ago.
While defensive quintet Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah, and Kostas Tsimikas will all be attempting to force their way back into the starting XI, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has recovered from a hamstring issue, may be rested in midweek.
In the center of midfield, summer signings Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo might be called upon, and another newcomer Alexis Mac Allister, who is presently on loan from Boca Juniors to Union SG, could face off against his brother Kevin.
Darwin Nunez will likely start up front in Gakpo’s absence, and Klopp will debate whether to start or rest star striker Mohamed Salah in the face of competition from the likes of Jota, Luis Diaz, and Ben Doak.
Starting eleven for Liverpool might include Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Elliott, Endo, and Gravenberch, along with Salah, Nunez, and Jota.
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