Liverpool will be without defensive midfielder and makeshift centre-back Lucas Leiva for the visit of Manchester City on Wednesday, while French defender Mamadou Sakho will face a late fitness test.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp vowed to play his strongest available lineup for the clash against Manchester City on Wednesday, but will be without Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva, who suffered a muscle injury during the Capital One Cup final.
The German intimated that he was still waiting for some medical tests to be completed, but effectively ruled out Lucas’s involvement in the game.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Klopp said (via the official Liverpool website), “We have to wait for a few things, but it doesn’t look too good with Lucas – he will not be available.
“He had problems with a muscle when he shot the penalty, so I think he is not available. We have to wait, but I don’t think so.”
Meanwhile, centre-back Mamadou Sakho is a doubt for the match, and will face a late test to prove his fitness. The France international had to leave the Wembley pitch in the first half on Sunday due to a head injury caused by a collision with his own teammate Emre Can.
Klopp said of the former PSG defender’s injury situation: “With Mama, I don’t know exactly. We had to make a decision in the moment on the sidelines.
“I think it was the right decision but until now I have heard nothing about the real issue, so I have to wait for the final judgement of the Doc.”
Although the former Borussia Dortmund coach promised to play his strongest lineup, he was clear about the fact that no risks will be taken with players who were not a 100% match-fit.
As such, Liverpool could make quite a few changes to their starting lineup, including a potential return to the team for fit-again centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel. Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge is likely to be given a rest, along with captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner, with Divock Origi, Joe Allen and Adam Lallana expected to be their respective replacements in the side.
