As Jurgen Klopp prepares his side to take on Bundesliga side Augsburg in the Europa League on Thursday night, he remains without two regular starters.
The Reds travelled to Germany on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Thursday’s early evening clash with Augsburg at the WWK Arena.
Buoyed by Sunday’s 6-0 win away to Aston Villa, Klopp’s side will be confident of securing victory over an Augsburg outfit that currently lie 14th in the Bundesliga.
Klopp is likely to select a strong lineup as he looks to gain an advantage on away soil, and could turn to the returning Lucas Leiva in his midfield.
The Brazilian missed the trip to Villa Park out of precaution due to a muscle injury, but is fit for contention after a lengthy resting period, and could join the likes of Jordan Henderson and Emre Can in the middle of the park.
Though with Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 formation proving successful against Remi Garde’s side, the 29-year-old may have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench.
The four-pronged attacking line of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Daniel Sturridge could be retained, with Milner’s inclusion likely prompted by the prolonged absence of Adam Lallana.
Lallana is still struggling with a calf injury, and Klopp told reporters on Tuesday that the ex-Southampton man “has no chance” of featuring.
Dejan Lovren is also unavailable, having returned to Croatia after family illness.
Lallana and Lovren are among seven first-team players out for the trip to Augsburg, joining Joe Allen, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Rossiter, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez.
Impressive academy midfielder Kevin Stewart is also out with injury, but would not have been involved having been left out of Klopp’s 25-man squad for the Europa League, while Jon Flanagan and Adam Bogdan were also not included.
Liverpool U18s goalkeeper Shamal George flew to Augsburg with the first-team squad, serving as cover for Simon Mignolet and Danny Ward.
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