Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Liverpool will be without injured trio Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Sturridge for their trip to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
These three players also missed the side’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Aston Villa, a game which has brought much gloom in the red half of Merseyside.
Brendan Rodgers, whose future at the club remains a question mark for now, could be boosted by the return of Adam Lallana at the Hawthorns. The A?24million midfielder hasna t featured for a month due to a groin strain.
a Lallana has just come back into training the past few days so we will see how he is for the weekend but none of the others (who have been injured) will be fit,a confirmed boss Brendan Rodgers.
Jon Flanagan who has missed the entire season with injury, isna t yet ready to be considered for selection after a long-term knee injury.
a Jon Flanagan is now training with the team but hea s a way off fitness,a Rodgers added. a We just need to monitor his rehabilitation.a
Sakho had become an integral part of the back-line and his injury has really brought down the confidence from the defence and is a big blow for the club. Rodgers would be hoping he is available for the remainder of the season and can help the team win as many matches and also give the Northern Irishman boost about his own stay with the club. If the manager persists with the three man defence, something he started the Aston Villa game with but quickly changed the formation, Dejan Lovren is expected to fill in for the Frenchman. Otherwise, Emre Can and Martin Skrtel are likely to continue as the two centre backs.
In Sturridge’s absence, either one of Sterling or Coutinho are expected to start as the false nine. Coutinho did exceedingly well in the position against Newcastle.
The return of Adam Lallana could mean that the Reds have a good attacking prospect on the bench (since Rodgers’ won’t throw the former Saints captain, on the pitch from the start).
Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Mignolet; Johnson, Can, Skrtel, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Allen; Ibe, Sterling, Coutinho