Liverpool Echo

Four things spotted in Liverpool training as Diogo Jota absence sparks concern

Liverpool Echo logo Liverpool Echo 22/04/2021 18:15:18 Ian Doyle

Liverpool will aim move into the top four - albeit possibly only temporarily - with victory over Newcastle United at Anfield this weekend.

The Reds are two points adrift of the Champions League qualification berths in seventh spot with just six games left to play.

Jurgen Klopp put his players through their paces at Kirkby on Thursday afternoon before the game on Saturday.

But what could be gleaned from the session?

Jota absent

Liverpool may have beaten Aston Villa last time out at home in the Premier League, but they have found goals hard to come by at Anfield in 2021.

Indeed, in nine games at the stadium this year, they have scored only three times.

So it will be concerning that Diogo Jota, who played a part in Sadio Mane's goal in the 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Monday, was not spotted in the latest training session.

Klopp will want the in-form Portuguese available, although Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were all present.

Phillips on the mend

Liverpool's centre-back injury curse struck again ahead of the draw at Elland Road.

This time it was Nat Phillips who was sidelined as a precaution due to a hamstring problem.

His aerial presence was missed when, with three minutes remaining, Diego Llorente nodded home an equaliser for the home side from a corner.

So it was a relief to spot Phillips back on the training pitch at Kirkby, albeit working away from the rest of the squad with Liverpool's conditioning team.

Jones returns

Another Academy graduate returned to the fold on Thursday.

Having previously featured in every matchday squad this season, Curtis Jones was absent from the last three games with a muscle complaint.

But he was being put through his paces by Klopp and his coaching team, and will be in contention for bench duty at the very least against Newcastle.

Divock Origi, though, was again missing, along with long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson.

*How should football respond to the European Super League? Take our quick fan survey.

Duo given another chance

While the first team were held at Leeds United on Monday night, the under-23s were fighting to a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2.

And both goalscorers from that game, Ben Woodburn and Leighton Clarkson, were again training with the first team on Thursday.

They were joined by Ben Davies, who is still yet to make an appearance since arriving from Preston North End in February.

However, having been on the bench for the last four games, the 25-year-old is edging ever nearer.

jeudi 22 avril 2021 21:15:18 Categories: Liverpool Echo

ShareButton
ShareButton
ShareButton
  • RSS

Suomi sisu kantaa
NorpaNet Beta 1.1.0.18818 - Firebird 5.0 LI-V6.3.2.1497

TetraSys Oy.

TetraSys Oy.