Jurgen Klopp will have limited options in midfield as he deals with several injuries at Liverpool.
The Reds have a busy fixture list ahead of them that will see the team compete in four different competitions. This Saturday sees Liverpool return to the pitch to face Burnley at Anfield in the Premier League.
Liverpool will be buoyed by the return of Wataru Endo to the first-team fold, after his involvement at the Asian Cup with Japan. It remains to be seen if Klopp decides to start the midfielder against Burnley this weekend.
In contrast, Dominik Szoboszlai could be on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The Hungary international missed the weekend’s loss to Arsenal, and there have been conflicting reports about the severity of the issue and the timeframe of his return.
Thiago Alcantara is also set to be unavailable for the foreseeable after suffering a setback in his recovery from injury. Thiago made a cameo appearance in the loss to Arsenal, and it now seems that he has suffered a muscle injury that will leave him on the sidelines.
As a result, Liverpool now have Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Harvey Elliott and Endo as their midfield options to face Burnley. But what combination of midfield, assuming Klopp opts to choose three players in the middle of the park, are available to the Reds?
Mac Allister-Jones-Gravenberch
Mac Allister in the No.6 role, with Jones and Gravenberch operating in the No.8 roles.
Mac Allister-Elliott-Jones
Mac Allister in the No.6 role, with Elliott making a rare start alongside Jones in midfield.
Mac Allister-Elliott-Gravenberch
Mac Allister in the No.6 role with Elliott and Gravenberch both working as No.8s to lead the press.
Endo-Gravenberch-Jones
Endo could return to the starting line-up in the No.6 role, and be supported by Gravenberch and Jones alongside him in midfield.
Endo-Jones-Elliott
Endo and Jones could operate in a double-pivot midfield supported by Elliott in a more advanced role.
Endo-Mac Allister-Jones
Endo and Mac Allister are both capable of performing in the No.6 role and could do so in a double-pivot, supported by Jones.
