Liverpool got back to winning ways last Saturday with a 4-0 demolition of Arsenal before putting in another victorious display on Wednesday night against Porto
With the Reds already confirmed winners of their Champions League group, Jurgen Klopp was able to make some changes for that game, with players such as Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi making substitute appearances after short injury layoffs.
Several other players are yet to make their return to the side though. On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked Goal’s Neil Jones for an injury update ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Southampton.
Here’s what Neil had to say:
[On Curtis Jones]
“He’s fine, he’s not lost his sight! He was at the Under 19s game yesterday up at Kirkby, he was at the game last night. I think it might be if he sweats and things like that, it’s going to affect his eye, so he has got to let the eye settle. It’s obviously a really awkward injury that he’s got. Frustrating for him, frustrating for Liverpool, but he’s going to be back soon enough.”
[On Harvey Elliott]
“Hopefully, we do see him sooner rather than later. I think it’ll still be a couple of months. I don’t think it’s around the corner, him being back in the side, but it seems like it’s all going positively.”
[On Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino]
“It will be interesting to see if Keita is around on the training pitches this week because I think that was borderline, I think Firmino will probably be a week’s time from here, from what I’m told.”
Redmen Reacts
Frustrating is certainly the word that comes to mind with Curtis’ eye injury. After slamming a rocket past Brentford and putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Porto away, Jones unfortunately struggled against Brighton. He has not had an opportunity to put that right thanks to his eye injury. Liverpool can be grateful for the fitness and form of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had not started a run of games like this since his own long-term injury in 2018.
With the busy Christmas period now upon us, it is vital that the Reds get as many of these knocks treated as soon as possible. The squad was tested to breaking point last season thanks to injuries and Covid-related scheduling.
A once threadbare midfield is now thankfully looking less depleted. Liverpool need to at least be in touching distance at the top of the table before the AFCON in January, a full squad of players to pick from gives them the best opportunity to do just that.
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