Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate are both questionable for Saturday’s trip to Wolves, which is contributing to Liverpool’s current defensive issue.
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Due to a thigh injury, Konate has missed the Reds’ last two games and was not selected for France’s pre-international roster. Alexander-Arnold withdrew from the England team for games against Scotland and Ukraine after limping off during the Reds’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Virgil van Dijk won’t be available for Jurgen Klopp’s match against Wolves. After receiving a red card against Newcastle last month, the Dutchman is scheduled to serve a further one-game suspension. He was sent out of the game at St. James’ Park in the first half for a foul on Alexander Isak.
Van Dijk received an automatic one-match suspension for the win over Villa, and on Friday it was announced that he will now also miss the trip to Wolves. Following his admission that he behaved improperly and spoke to John Brooks in an aggressive and insulting manner, he was given a £100,000 fine.
If Konate and Alexander-Arnold are both injured, Klopp might have to try Joe Gomez at right-back and Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah in the defensive middle. The defensive duo of Gomez and Matip performed admirably against Villa the last time out, and Quansah earned his Liverpool debut at Newcastle.
Klopp will also be hoping Andy Robertson can come through unscathed when Scotland host England. The left-back helped the Tartan Army to their fifth straight Euro 2024 qualifying win at Cyprus on Friday and is expected to be involved for Steve Clarke’s side at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
As for Liverpool, they have made a bright start to the season under Klopp and are still unbeaten after four Premier League matches. The Reds have picked up 10 points from a potential 12 and are one of only six clubs not to have lost a game in the top-flight, with Manchester City, Tottenham, West Ham, Brentford, and Arsenal as the others.
Before the international break, following his team’s victory over Villa, Klopp said: “It was a terrific game, the finest for a while, a long time. I don’t recall the last time we were that convincing, though we have played well recently, particularly at the close of the last campaign and in situations like this. That was excellent.
“We could use the formation today properly, everybody wanted the ball or protected or showed or offered,” Klopp continued. “So, it was a top game, cannot say differently. I don’t know when I can say that the next time, but for today it was as good as it could be because the opponent is extremely strong and we didn’t let that happen today. That’s a massive compliment to my boys.”
