As the Reds prepare to face Sunderland, manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that yet another attacker in the form of Divock Origi has been sidelined due to injury, while defender Jon Flanagan makes his return to competitive football for the first time in 19 months.
Liverpool FC have had wretched luck with injuries to their frontmen. While Daniel Sturridge’s tryst with injuries is well documented, Danny Ings’s injury, just as he was threatening to steal Christian Benteke’s thunder, was another in a series of blows to rock the Anfield outfit.
Origi injury blow for Liverpool FC, opportunity for Benteke
The latest one to bite the dust is Divock Origi. The Belgian youngster has hardly set Anfield on fire, however, the fact that he was just about starting to get going following the adaptation time needed in a new league when his progress was stalled by injury, will be a new concern for Jurgen Klopp to deal with.
The 20-year old damaged his hamstring in the 1-0 win over Leicester City, and was replaced by fellow Belgian Benteke who is expected to start up front tonight having scored the only goal of the game with a well-taken sliding finish from the centre of the box.
The full extent of the injury to Origi is still to be determined with the scan results yet to come.
Klopp was quoted as saying by the Guardian: a I cannot say too much about Divock because at this moment I dona t have the results of the scan, so we have to wait a few more minutes because the press conference is a little bit too early for this information. If there is no miracle or something like this then he is not available for the next game, so we have to find a solution for this.”
This might be the opportunity that Benteke was really looking for, and he must now ensure that he does not waste it, having already got off to a great start following the goal against Leicester (even though he should have had two in the game, having missed an open goal)
Ibe, Flanagan back
One good news on the injury front for the Reds will be the return of Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan. The English winger missed the game against Leicester due to illness, but is back in contention for a spot in the starting XI against struggling Sunderland. Flanagan is all set to end his 19-month injury hell on Tuesday with a comeback appearance against Fleetwood Town for Liverpool U-21.
Klopp added: a Jordon Ibe has been back in training since yesterday. He was sick and had a few problems for nearly a week. We will have to see. Yesterday was completely normal training, but wea ll have to wait on how he reacts to this.
Milner still out
Klopp also confirmed the unavailability of vice-captain James Milner, who will miss his third game in a row due to a calf problem.
a I think from the game [against Leicester] we have no other problems. Millie [James Milner] will start pitch sessions, not with the team but outside tomorrow. Then he needs a week and should be available.a