Jurgen Klopp has named his 21-man travelling squad for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Red Star, leaving Xherdan Shaqiri behind on Merseyside.
The Reds head to Belgrade on Monday ahead of their fourth game of Group C on Tuesday evening, looking to return to winning ways in Europe.
After a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the weekend, a trip to Serbia will hopefully result in another three points, having thrashing Red Star at Anfield last month.
Twenty-one players are travelling as part of Klopp’s squad, with the manager explaining that Shaqiri was omitted in order to avoid “distractions.”
However, Klopp insisted the club “have no political message” and are simply “keen to be respectful and keen to avoid any distractions that would take focus away from a 90-minute-plus contest that is important for football and only football.”
On a more positive note, both Dejan Lovren and Naby Keita return from injury, but Jordan Henderson (hamstring) and Nathaniel Clyne (illness) miss out.
Klopp added that the captain “was close, but not close enough,” which suggests he will return for Sunday’s clash with Fulham in the Premier League.
This means Liverpool only have five midfielders fit for midweek, which could see Fabinho make a fourth consecutive start.
Caoimhin Kelleher is included as third goalkeeper, while Dominic Solanke is named in the squad after scoring for the Liverpool U23s in their 3-1 victory over Leicester on Saturday.
Liverpool Squad vs. Red Star
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mignolet, Kelleher
Defenders: Van Dijk, Gomez, Lovren, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Moreno
Midfielders: Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Milner, Lallana
Forwards: Firmino, Mane, Salah, Sturridge, Origi, Solanke
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