Injury-torn Reds have an obligation to overcome difficulties and Unai Emery's Villa
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 26.12.22. | 13:40
Seven sidelined players are making it quite challenging for Jurgen Klopp's side to deliver the expected level, but they ought to stay in contention for the Champions League spots
Liverpool return to Premier League action today for their Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa, with many concerns for Jurgen Klopp regarding his injury-torn squad.
As many as seven Reds are sidelined due to injuries ahead of their trip to Villa Park. The Scousers have already returned to action with the EFL Cup tie at Manchester City, but along with the match itself (3-2), they lost two more regulars - James Milner and Roberto Firmino. Both for the same reason, of course - injuries.
Injury update from Klopp:
— LiverpoolGoals (@Liverpoolgoals_) December 23, 2022
❌ Firmino and Milner are likely to miss "a couple of games" Thankfully, nothing major.
⏳ Konate's will be back on 27th of December.
✅ Virgil is back in training and ready for Villa. Trent is ill but will be better soon, hasn't trained yet. pic.twitter.com/sfmgGAeb1J
Moreover, Curtis Jones and Arthur Melo join the Reds vice-captain as other midfield options unavailable.
Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are long-term absentees through injury, too. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is yet to return to training after being given extra time off due to being with France for their run to the World Cup final.
"There is a lot to come, we don't think about the break anymore. It's a start for something new and building on the things we've done so far and knowing and expecting that we can do better - starting on Boxing Day," Klopp explained in a press conference ahead of the Villa tie.
"We know Aston Villa will be a massive test. That's how it is. A tough place to go anyway but now especially. But for them, it's not that easy as well."
PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 17
Monday
15:30: (3.80) Brentford (3.50) Tottenham (2.10)
18:00: (3.45) Leicester (3.40) Newcastle (2.25)
18:00: (3.35) Southampton (3.40) Brighton (2.30)
18:00: (2.45) Everton (3.15) Wolverhampton (3.30)
18:00: (2.15) Crystal Palace (3.40) Fulham (3.70)
20:30: (4.60) Aston Villa (3.70) Liverpool (1.85)
23:00: (1.55) Arsenal (4.20) West Ham (7.00)
Tuesday
20:30: (1.35) Chelsea (5.30) Bournemouth (10.0)
23:00: (1.35) Man.Utd. (5.30) Nott.Forest (10.0)
Wednesday
23:00: (9.50) Leeds (5.90) Man.City (1.33)
***odds are subject to change***
