Liverpool struck with new injury problem as senior star ruled out for similar time period to Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool’s injury problems have gotten a whole lot worse as Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold have joined a host of players in the treatment room.

Jurgen Klopp’s future is uncertain due to Liverpool’s poor start to the season. They are playing badly and look disjointed, though a big part of this is down to the amount of injured stars.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz are just some of the players who are out at the moment.

It must be hugely frustrating for Klopp to have to continue dealing with so many of his regulars being unavailable.

Arthur’s injury is particularly annoying for Liverpool and their fans. He was brought in on deadline day to bolster Klopp’s midfield options following Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain being ruled out.

But the Brazilian, who is on loan from Juventus, will be out of action for the rest of the year. He needs to undergo surgery on a muscle issue.

Liverpool came up against an impressive Arsenal side on Sunday and lost 3-2 at the Emirates. Klopp’s priority will have obviously been the result, but he will also have been keen to protect his stars.

However, Diaz is now out with a knee problem and won’t be available for selection for six to eight weeks.

Alexander-Arnold, like Diaz, had to be substituted in the defeat to the Gunners. He went off at half time after a stamp on his ankle.

Jurgen Klopp without another Liverpool man

James Pearce of The Athletic has given an update on the selection headache now facing Klopp. He states that centre-back Matip is the latest Liverpool man to pick up an issue.

He has a calf injury and is expected to be out for around two weeks. Pearce claims this is a similar timescale for when Alexander-Arnold may return.

The latest blow means Matip and Alexander-Arnold will be out for some crucial fixtures. They will have to watch from home when Liverpool play Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

By far the biggest game they will miss is the visit of Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday at 16:30. This match could turn into an embarrassment for Liverpool given City’s incredible form and Klopp’s lack of senior players.

Matip and Alexander-Arnold could also miss Premier League clashes with West Ham and Nottingham Forest next week. However, they should be back in time for the UCL match against Ajax on October 26.

Pearce states Ibrahima Konate will come straight into the starting eleven to fill the gap alongside Virgil van Dijk. Joe Gomez will likely replace Alexander-Arnold on the right side of defence.

Konate has proven himself to be a top defender for Liverpool, so this is not really a downgrade. However, Gomez doesn’t have anywhere near as much attacking threat as Alexander-Arnold. So Liverpool will be missing the latter’s creativity in their upcoming matches.

While an injury is never good for a player, it might actually have come at an OK time for Alexander-Arnold. He is at the centre of much criticism right now following some poor defensive displays.

One pundit even thinks he is ‘League One standard’ at defending and has called the 24-year-old ‘Bambi on ice’.