Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will have a few selection issues to consider for his side’s second Europa League group game against Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. The Reds are strong favourites to win Group E and progress to the knockout phases.
They got off to a strong start with a 3-1 victory over LASK last month with Klopp making a number of changes to the starting line-up. Ben Doak, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic and Caoimhin Kelleher were all given starting spots in that match along with Darwin Nunez up top.
Klopp will be expected to make a number of changes from the side that lost to Tottenham last weekend as they also face a tricky test against Brighton this weekend before the international break. There were a few players missing from Liverpool’s training session on Wednesday though while Nunez’s injury issue was plain for all to see.
Klopp has been mindful of overplaying Ibrahima Konate given his injury woes and he’s yet to start in the league since suffering a muscle issue in August.
But the Frenchman was put through his paces on Wednesday and joined in the full session, indicating that he’s more than ready to step in if needed.
There was no sign of Cody Gakpo in the session with the Dutchman set for a few weeks out of action.
The good news for Liverpool is that nothing is broken, but he’s set to miss a handful of games for the Reds.
Klopp confirmed that Stefan Bajcetic had suffered a ‘tiny setback’ during training last week after making his long-awaited comeback from injury.
He wasn’t seen in training ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League game, suggesting he still needs time to recover from the issue.
Liverpool’s long-term absentee still appears no closer to a return with the Spaniard still unavailable as he continues to recover from a hip injury.
It likely means both Endo and Gravenberch will continue in midfield in Europe.
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Bajcetic filled in at right-back for the game against LASK a few weeks ago with Alexander-Arnold out injured.
But the England international returned to full team training last week and made a cameo off the bench against Tottenham. He’ll be looking for more minutes in Europe tomorrow night.
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