Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that he hopes Liverpool’s fringe players can step up following the blow of Fabinho’s ankle ligament injury which will keep him out for until the end of the Year.
The 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder will be sidelined for around six weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage during Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at home against Serie A side Napoli.
Fabinho is probably the only specialist option in the holding role at Klopp’s disposal, although Georginio Wijnaldum showed his adaptability by slotting in defensive midfield against the Italians.
Club captain Jordan Henderson is another experienced option in the center of the park who can operate in front of the defense for the leaders of the English Premier League, and either of the two reverting to that position would create opportunities in positions slightly higher up the pitch.
English winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed since returning from a serious knee injury and won back his place in the national squad, while the midfield trio of Naby Keita, Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri have all had their opportunities limited due to form and fitness issues.
But speaking to reporters after the nervy game against Brighton & Hove Albion Klopp admitted that he will have to rely on Lallana and Keita to step up, following Fabinho’s injury, “We have guys with a lack of minutes for different reasons like Shaq and Naby, We don’t have the biggest squad in the world and now we have two defensive players in Joel [Matip] and Fabinho with long-term injuries. It’s not cool. They all will play. It’s time to be there for all of us and all the boys especially. In our preparation for the Napoli game, we watched the game last season and Hendo played in that position then. Gini played in the position already. Adam Lallana played in the position.
Liverpool has a tight run of fixtures this month and will have to keep their heads up as many other squad players might be called upon to keep up this incredible start to the campaign.
