Liverpool kick off their bid for Premier League glory with a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to meet Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp's side ended the 2022-23 season in uncharted territory - finishing outside the Champions League places for the first time since the German's debut campaign in 2015-16.
The Reds gave a good account of themselves during their pre-season preparations, though, most recently overcoming Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98 3-1 on Monday courtesy of goals from Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with the Blues, whose head coach Pochettino will oversee his first competitive game in charge of the West London giants this weekend.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hip
Possible return date: August 27 (vs. Newcastle United)
Thiago Alcantara has spent the summer months recuperating from the hip problem that ruled him out of the end of the 2022-23 season, and the Spanish lynchpin is unlikely to be available for the opening weekend, despite being put through his paces in training.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Adductor
Possible return date: August 27 (vs. Newcastle United)
Similarly, Thiago's countryman Stefan Bajcetic was not seen in pre-season due to his recent adductor operation, and while he has been slowly building up his match fitness, Sunday's game might still come too soon.
LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Liverpool have no players suspended for the opening weekend.
Ben Knapton
