Liverpool have a mounting injury list ahead of their Champions League visit to Rangers – as a must-win Premier League clash with Man City looms large this weekend.
Following the weekend’s defeat to Arsenal, the sounds were that England international Trent Alexander Arnold and Colombian forward Luis Diaz would miss the clash in Glasgow.
But now Cameroonian defender Joel Matip has also been ruled unavailable for the clash against Rangers as he is ruled out for two weeks alongside Alexander Arnold [Athletic].
Diaz is set to be missing until after the World Cup due to a knee problem, with the trio joining Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Arthur on the sidelines.
Influential Scotland captain left-back and Celtic fan Andy Robertson is also a doubt as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Liverpool squad stretched ahead of Rangers and Man City clashes
It leaves Liverpool’s squad stretched ahead of a tough run of pre-World Cup fixtures and perhaps an upcoming clash with Man City might see Rangers facing a changed side at Ibrox.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have barely got started domestically this season and following a 3-2 weekend defeat to title hopefuls Arsenal, the German admitted the Anfield club weren’t in the title race.
But there is an expectation to challenge the might of the Premier League champions and with Erling Haaland and co visiting on Sunday perhaps the Reds will be forgiven for casting glances towards that fixture.
Despite the injuries Jurgen Klopp – vocally critical of the hectic schedule in modern football – may well be tempted to rest players despite the threat of a Rangers cauldron at Ibrox.
This comes with Liverpool currently three points ahead of Ajax in 2nd place in Champions League Group A, with the Dutch club heading to Italy after a 6-1 thrashing in the Netherlands.
This may well hand Rangers an opportunity to take advantage at Ibrox with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst challenging his players to take Group A to the final game.
Realistically Rangers need to earn at least one more point against Liverpool and Napoli than Ajax do and then beat the Dutch champions at home for a spot in the Europa League.
Speaking of that potential scenario, the Dutch champions have also been handed a familiar boost by the footballing authorities ahead of a potential Rangers showdown.
