The very latest on the Liverpool injury and availability situation before the Premier League trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United
The injuries may keep on piling up for Liverpool but so do the wins. Despite being without six key first-team players for Sunday’s rousing 2-0 victory at home to Manchester City, Arne Slot’s rampant side show no sign of letting up.
The thoroughly deserved triumph over defending champions City made it 18 wins from 20 matches for the Reds under new head coach Arne Slot and extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points.
Throw in the fact that Liverpool also top the Champions League group stage and are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and life could not be going much better.
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But Slot will be wary of losing any more members of his squad given the fact that Wednesday’s trip to Newcastle United continues a hectic run of nine games in 29 days before the year is out.
So, ahead of the St James’ Park showdown, how is the Reds’ injury list looking?
Alisson Becker
Injury: Hamstring
Liverpool’s No.1 Alisson Becker has been missing since the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on October 5. At the time it was suggested that the new hamstring injury he sustained would rule him out for a minimum of six weeks, which would see him return after the international break.
However, there is still no sign of the Brazil international returning to training alongside the other first-team goalkeepers including Caoimhin Kelleher, who has once again proved to be such an able deputy, saving an Kylian Mbappe penalty in the midweek Champions League home over holders Real Madrid before then keeping a fourth clean sheet in his last five games at the weekend.
Possible return date: Unknown
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Knee
Ibrahima Konate took a heavy knock to his knee in a challenge by Madrid substitute Endrick in the last action of Wednesday’s match and required lengthy treatment after the final whistle before limping off. The France international centre-back was then spotted on crutches during the City game.
Before that match, Konate said: “So frustrating to pick up this injury right at the end of a great game on Wednesday night. Now we start the recovery process but one thing I promise is I will come back and be the best I can be once again.”
And after it, Slot said: “They will both (Konate and Conor Bradley) be out for a few weeks. I have said many times before, it is always difficult to judge how many weeks this exactly is because you can think in the beginning, ‘oh, probably going to be like this’, and the end stage of an injury process can always differ a bit. But they will not be in the team this week for sure, both of them.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Conor Bradley
Injury: Hamstring
After a stunning display that he capped with a ferocious tackle on Mbappe and an assist for Alexis Mac Allister‘s opener, Bradley was forced off with a few minutes remaining against Madrid with a hamstring injury.
Slot has not put a timeframe on the Northern Ireland right-back’s return but a report in his homeland suggested he could be out for six weeks.
Possible return date: Unknown
Kostas Tsimikas
Injury: Ankle
Slot was down to just five fully fit defenders against City as the serious nature of left-back Kostas Tsimikas‘ injury becomes clearer. Missing since the 3-2 victory at Southampton on November 24, the Greece international left-back was spotted wearing a protective boot and on crutches at the weekend.
His manager said: “I don’t think Kostas will be with us in the upcoming week as well.”
Possible return date: Unknown
Federico Chiesa
Injury: Unknown
Federico Chiesa has now missed Liverpool’s last 12 matches with an unspecified issue. But there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Now working with the full squad, it appears of case of when and not if the Italy international forward will be available for selection again.
Possible return date: Everton (A), Premier League, December 7
Diogo Jota
Injury: Upper body
Diogo Jota was injured early on against Chelsea on October 20 after he was hauled down near the halfway line by Tosin Adaraiboyo. The Portugal international striker hasn’t played since.
Slot had previously said: “We expect him back after the international break. Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go!
“He will be back one or two weeks after the international break.”
Like with Chiesa, we should get an update when Slot holds his latest press conference on Tuesday.
Possible return date: Everton (A), Premier League, December 7
