With Virgil van Dijk the latest Liverpool player to succumb to injury, it means only six Reds have yet to miss a game due to a fitness issue in 2022/23.
When it rains, it pours for Liverpool as Van Dijk’s hamstring injury clearly demonstrates, his first, and hopefully last, setback of the season.
It’s hardly a surprise, though, having played the second-most minutes of any Red so far this season (2,115) in addition to the most minutes of any Jurgen Klopp player at the World Cup (480).
What it means is that Van Dijk is now to become the 21st Red to miss a match due to injury this season – and only 26 games have been played.
Only six have avoided succumbing to a similar fate, they are, Adrian, Joe Gomez, Nat Phillips, Fabinho, Harvey Elliott and Mohamed Salah.
What is worrying, however, is that four of the aforementioned players currently sit in the top 10 of the most minutes played so far: Salah (2,134 – 1st), Fabinho (1,762 – 5th), Elliott (1,469 – 6th) and Gomez (1,304 – 10th).
In total, 20 players have missed a combined 159 games this season thanks to injury, a tally that is only rising thanks to continued absences and new issues arising.
It’s proven a hard cycle to break for Liverpool, with the demands only increasing for those who have remained fit and thus pushing them closer to breaking point with each passing game.
Naby Keita has missed the most games due to injury this season with 19, but he will soon be surpassed by Diogo Jota (18) thanks to his serious calf injury which is only set to see him return in February.
Luis Diaz is not far behind either with 14 games missed thanks to successive knee injuries.
Games missed due to injury in 2022/23
Virgil van Dijk – TBC*
Alisson – 1
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 1
Fabio Carvalho – 1
Darwin Nunez – 1
Kostas Tsimikas – 2
Andy Robertson – 4
Jordan Henderson – 5
Thiago – 5
James Milner – 5**
Roberto Firmino – 5**
Caoimhin Kelleher – 9
Joel Matip – 13
Ibrahima Konate – 13
Calvin Ramsay – 13
Curtis Jones – 14
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 14
Luis Diaz – 14*
Arthur – 16*
Diogo Jota – 18*
Naby Keita – 19
*Currently injured
**Expect back imminently
The good news is that Curtis Jones made a return at Brentford and both James Milner and Roberto Firmino are expected to be in contention for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Wolves.
A welcome boost to Klopp’s numbers during a month which currently sees the Reds play three more fixtures and welcome new club doctor Jonathan Power.
The club have been without an official club doctor since Jim Moxon left for Man United before this season got underway – two academy staff doctors have since been fulfilling the role.
Fan Comments