Liverpool have been handed something of a blow ahead of their clash with Wolves on Saturday lunchtime as three of their first team stars were not spotted in first team training.
The Reds kick the Premier League off again after the international break with a trip to Molineux to take on Gary O’Neil’s struggling side, with Liverpool themselves looking to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign which has included an impressive win over Newcastle United.
However, they may be without the star of that game after Darwin Nunez, scorer of both goals against the Magpies, wasn’t spotted in Thursday’s training session. The Uruguayan was forced off at half-time of his country’s shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in the second of their games over the international break, with Marcelo Bielsa citing ‘muscle problems’ as the reason for his withdrawal.
“It seemed convenient to me to substitute him because he couldn’t keep up with the game when we had to press”, Bielsa revealed after the game.
He is not the only absentee, with Thiago Alcantara joining him among those not spotted in first-team training as he recovers from an injury that has prevented him making an appearance so far this campaign.
Perhaps more worryingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold was also not among those training after he pulled out of England duty thanks to a hamstring injury which saw him taken off late in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break.
❌ Trent Alexander-Arnold
❌ Darwin Núñez
❌ Thiago AlcântaraSome key names not spotted in Liverpool training this morning 🔴 pic.twitter.com/1EfABkbc6r
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 14, 2023
Good morning, lads 👋😁 pic.twitter.com/hGYZlljwbX
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 14, 2023
Klopp is already without skipper Virgil van Dijk, who is still serving his suspension after being sent off against Newcastle United, meaning that Joel Matip may be required to fill in at centre-back for the Reds should Joe Gomez be asked to cover for Alexander-Arnold at right back.
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo is likely to continue centrally with either Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota to his left should Nunez’s absence continue.
