Liverpool Confirm Double Injury Boost But Duo To Miss Chelsea Tie + van Dijk Update

Jurgen Klopp has revealed a mixed team news update ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Reds boss has been speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s confirmed that Dejan Lovren is set to return to the squad after recovering from a pelvic injury that’s kept him out for the opening weeks of the new season having aggravated the problem at the World Cup.

In a double boost for Liverpool, striker Dominic Solanke has also been passed fit to return after missing the last two matches with concussion that he picked up earlier this month and the youngster will be pushing to start up front if Roberto Firmino is rested.

However, it wasn’t all positive news as Divock Origi is still working his way back from a niggling ankle injury while Adam Lallana is also yet to return to full training having sustained a groin injury while away with England during the recent international break.

Klopp also provided an update on Virgil van Dijk and all but ruled the centre-back out of the League Cup clash tomorrow night after he picked up a rib injury during the win over Southampton at the weekend. The injury doesn’t sound serious but Klopp is unlikely to risk the Dutchman against Chelsea tomorrow.

The Reds boss is expected to make some changes as he looks to keep key men fresh for Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge at the weekend and Klopp has confirmed Simon Mignolet will get his first start of the season in goal.

Klopp is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard:

“Dejan looks actually quite good. Trained completely normal now, four times. He looks ready. Divock [Origi] is not far away but it’s an ankle thing, and we will be very careful. The ankle was his problem after the Everton game years ago, so he will be back, I’m pretty sure next week or so.

“Adam [Lallana] trained with the team, not the full session, but will now come back step-by-step. He’s in a good way. Dom is completely back.”

“He [Van Dijk] is much better. It’s still a bit painful, and nothing else. We will see how we deal with that. It’s how we thought already, not too serious, but it’s not nothing. It needs to settle. I will speak to him today and see how he is, then make a decision about him.

“The only position I will confirm today is Simon [Mignolet]. Simon will start. All the rest, you have to wait until tomorrow. But it will be a good team, believe me!

“Each game is an opportunity. It’s all about the situation, is the player ready, all the things you have to consider when you think about a line-up. It will be a very good side.”

Liverpool head in to the game tomorrow night in excellent form having won all seven of their games in all competitions so far this season so Klopp will be hoping to maintain that perfect record to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a win over Chelsea.