Liverpool are set to take on Everton in the upcoming Merseyside derby in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday, with Jurgen Klopp facing the potential absence of numerous important players due to injuries and suspensions.
However, the Reds might have to cope without up to seven key first-team players for this match.
According to Ben Dinnery, writing on his website Premier Injuries, there are concerns about the fitness of Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo for the Everton clash.
Gakpo suffered a significant injury against Tottenham Hotspur and, although he’s out of his brace, he might not be fully prepared for a demanding match like this.
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As for Robertson, he sustained a shoulder injury while representing Scotland during the international break and appeared to be in considerable pain.
Despite his typically excellent fitness, he could be sidelined for an extended period. Dinnery suggests that both Robertson and Gakpo have only a 25% chance of playing, which is a low probability.
Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota won’t be available for the game as they are serving suspensions due to red cards received against Spurs.
Additionally, Thiago Alcantara, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absentees for Liverpool, with no specified return date for their injuries.
The Reds have been dominant in recent Merseyside derbies, particularly at Anfield, and they have had a strong start to the season, making them contenders for the Premier League title.
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Conversely, Everton have narrowly avoided relegation in their past two campaigns, but they’ve had a more promising start under Sean Dyche. While Everton used to be a formidable Premier League side, they have lost some of their previous strength.
There’s a significant difference in quality between the two clubs. However, derby matches often see teams elevating their performance.
Robertson is expected to be unavailable, with Kostas Tsimikas likely to step in as his replacement.
