Matip, Alexander-Arnold add to growing Liverpool injury crisis

The Liverpool injury crisis continues as Joël Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold join the list of players to hit the sidelines. Including these two, Liverpool has eight senior players unavailable due to various injuries.

Both Matip and Alexander-Arnold are set to miss two weeks. Matip has a calf issue, while his English teammate picked up an ankle injury.

At the weekend, the Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal. Following the loss, Liverpool sits 10th in the Premier League table. Those league-leading Gunners have a 14 point cushion over Liverpool, with Arsenal playing one more game. In fact, Jürgen Klopp’s team failed to win a league game in September. The club’s last league victory came at home to Newcastle on Aug. 31. Of course, Liverpool only had two games in the league during September. The Premier League postponed two of those games.

Injuries are a theme for Klopp in the early stages of this campaign. In particular, his midfield took a hit with issues to Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Arthur Melo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Fortunately, Henderson and Thiago have recovered. Yet, Liverpool is still without the other four midfielders.

The Liverpool injury crisis in 2022/23

Jones, who has not featured at all so far this season, is recovering from a fractured tibia. Recently, the midfielder rejoined training. His return to full fitness and availability for selection is on the near horizon.

Klopp left Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain off of the club’s Champions League squads. They most likely fall down in the pecking order of playing time. However, the manager added that they are still requiring extra time to recover from muscle injuries.

Arthur arrived at Anfield in at the final stages of the summer transfer window. In fact, he came in to ease the Liverpool injury crisis. Unfortunately, the Brazilian has encountered his own issues. Arthur only managed 13 total minutes on the pitch for the Reds so far. Now, he looks to miss three or four months of time following surgery to his quad.

Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz have also picked up injuries as well. The two vastly important players are the biggest losses for Klopp and company. Diaz also suffered an injury in the Arsenal match. He is slated to miss two months due to knee problems. Robertson could, however, be set to feature at the weekend. Liverpool’s next Premier League game is against Manchester City on Sunday.

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