Liverpool v Red Star Belgrade: Team news
There was mixed news on the injury front for Liverpool ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League tie against Red Star Belgrade.
Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita are both unavailable for the Group C fixture at Anfield due to hamstring injuries, Jürgen Klopp confirmed on the eve of the match.
The manager was able to provide a positive update on Sadio Mane, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum, however, with all three in contention to play.
“Millie looks fine and should be OK, Gini got a knock on his Achilles but should be OK and Sadio trained and should be fine,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
“[We have] a couple of problems, but still enough players to choose from.”
Defeat in Naples in their previous Champions League encounter means the Reds have three points from two games in the group ahead of the double-header with Red Star.
The Serbian outfit claimed a point from a goalless draw at home to Napoli before suffering a heavy 6-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Liverpool have used those two matches – and the visitors’ league meeting with rivals Partizan last month – in particular in their pre-match analysis of the opponents.
“I have no clue which line-up they will choose because they have the opportunity to change,” explained Klopp during his press conference.
“The back four stays the same as often as possible, and the goalie and the midfield three; up front, they have opportunities and use them. That always makes it interesting.
“But whoever they line up, they are a top team in Serbia and that brings them here with confidence. They are used to winning football games and we have to make sure that they cannot come in that mood.”
Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic named a 21-man travelling squad for the match, with attacking midfielder Marko Marin a notable absentee due to injury.
Left-back Milan Rodic and forward Jonathan Cafu are also unavailable, while central defender Vujadin Savic made the trip but is a fitness doubt.
Milojevic divulged little regarding his possible team selection at Anfield, though, telling the media at his press conference: “You will see tomorrow.”
Last time out
Huddersfield Town v Liverpool, October 20: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Shaqiri, Salah, Sturridge.
Red Star Belgrade v FK Rad, October 20: Borjan, Degenek, Stojkovic, Gobeljic, Babic, Krsticic, Simic, Jovicic, Boakye, Ebecilio, Srnic.