Liverpool kicks off its fa cup run with the toughest draw of the season: an away day in north london and the challenge of arsenal. Jürgen klopp has used the early rounds of this season as an opportunity to restructure his squad, and we’ve seen a mix of young players and first team stars in recent years. Despite the high caliber opposition, it is likely to be the case this time around. The injuries are mounting for the german coach, with dominik szoboszlai out of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury against newcastle in the 4-2 victory. Although klopp wishes to return in midweek after the league cup semi-final first leg against fulham, he is unable to do so until then. Wataru end, a japan international, has also been sidelined, with the midfielder representing his country in the 2024 asian cup. He put on a good showing against newcastle, and his presence will undoubtedly be missed. Mohamed salah is also out of the club, with the egyptian expected to represent his country in the afcon in the middle of the month.
Thiago alcântara, jol matip, and stefan bajeti are all long-serving victims, but alexis mac allister’s return came at a perfect time with end’s departure. The argentine returned to action against newcastle on saturday and made an incredible pass for diogo jota in the process. We’re likely to see little improvement in midfield under klopp, but there are likely to be some improvements in defense and attack. We might see caoimhn kelleher get a rare start, but it’s unclear if he’s been given this particular challenge. Since being recalled from his dundee loan, owen beck will not be able to raise the numbers. This is due to bookings that were made in the scottish league cup earlier this season. Joe gomez is expected to continue as a left-back, though jarell quansah is expected to be rotated in at the back line. In the middle, alexis mac allister, curtis jones, harvey elliott, and ryan gravenberch are chosen. Klopp has no real options unless he takes a step forward and steps right into the youth ranks, as elliott is likely to deputize for salah further forward. Klopp has a number of ways to compensate for salah’s absence on the top. Following diogo jota’s return, he now has a full senior roster to tackle the problem.
Here Liverpool.com brings you the full list of players available to the manager as the Reds travel south to face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium. All in all, Klopp has to deal with 10 absences.
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Caoimhín Kelleher, Adrián.
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah.
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch.
Forwards:Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota.
Players who are injured: Thiago Alcântara, Stefan Bajčetić, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Joël Matip, Ben Doak, Dominik Szoboszlai.
Players who are unavailable: Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endō, Owen Beck.
