Injury Crisis on Merseyside

Liverpool are the defending Premier League champions, but injuries to key players could de-rail their chance for a repeat

by Brendan Smith, Sports O’Clock Writing Team Member

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (4) on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from Everton's Jordan Pickford (photo credits: The Athletic)

Liverpool FC won the 2019-20 Premier League in overwhelming fashion, finishing 18 points clear of second place Manchester City. Their title defense is off to a shaky start: they currently sit third in the Premier League but are currently dealing with a crippling injury crisis to key players across the squad.

The most notable absence through injury is center back Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman suffered a gruesome knee injury after a collision with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford. After undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair a damaged ACL, van Dijk will miss the rest of the season. It is a devastating loss as van Dijk is the most important piece in Liverpool’s defense.

Van Dijk is not the only defender on the sidelines. Liverpool also lost center back Joe Gomez to a knee injury that was sustained while Gomez was on international duty with the England national team. Gomez is also out for the season. That leaves Liverpool with Joel Matip as the only fit center back in the squad. Right back Trent Alexander-Arnold is also out with a minor injury, while emergency center back Fabinho could miss time as well.

Injury concerns are not reserved to just the defense. The midfield could see some absences over the next few matchdays with Thiago Alcantara and captain Jordan Henderson expected to miss more time with knee and leg injuries, respectively.

That leaves Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s superstar forward. Salah is currently infected with COVID-19, which he acquired while partying at his brother’s wedding without a mask. Salah has been forced to quarantine in his native Egypt until he can produce a negative test, which leaves him out of Liverpool’s lineup for the foreseeable future.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has proved himself as one of the best – if not the best – manager in the Premier League, but the injury crisis he now has to deal with will certainly test his ability to win matches. Most clubs would be unable to overcome a substantial list of absentees, but to retain the Premier League title, Klopp and Liverpool will have to.

(Injury info received from ESPN)

(All photos are cited properly. No copyright infringement intended.)