After drawing both of their opening two games against Fulham and Crystal Palace, there is significant pressure on Liverpool to win at Old Trafford versus their fierce rivals Manchester United on Monday.
With reigning Premier League champions Manchester City already opening up a four-point gap on the Reds, who have lost out on the title by a solitary point to the Citizens in two of the last four seasons, it has been far from the ideal start for Jurgen Klopp's men.
They can at least console themselves by Merseyside rivals Everton and forthcoming opponents Man United both losing each of their first two games, although a win for the Red Devils on home soil on Monday would see them climb above Liverpool in the table.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their contest with Man United on Monday.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: August 27 (vs. Bournemouth)
Joel Matip sustained a groin injury against Fulham on the opening day of the season, with the defender missing the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Monday and subsequently ruled out of facing Man United. However, he has resumed light training and could be considered for selection against Bournemouth at Anfield next weekend.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: August 31 (vs. Newcastle United)
Caiomhin Kelleher, who was the penalty shoot-out hero in Liverpool's EFL Cup final triumph over Chelsea last season, remains sidelined with a groin injury.
Klopp said at the start of August that the issue was likely to keep the club's deputy goalkeeper out for "two to three weeks," with the club's trip to Newcastle at the end of August a potential return date for the stopper.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: September 3 (vs. Everton)
Diogo Jota suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury which he first sustained during Liverpool's pre-season tour, with Klopp revealing the Portugal forward is "getting closer" to returning. However, he will still be out of action this weekend.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: September 3 (vs. Everton)
Like Jota, Klopp stated Curtis Jones is "getting closer" to fully recovering from his calf injury, so both players may target the Merseyside derby at the start of September as a realistic return date.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: September 10 (vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Ibrahima Konate went off injured in the Reds' final pre-season game against Strasbourg on July 31, with the injury initially thought not to be too serious. However, Klopp has provided very few updates on the defender's recovery, suggesting he is at least one week behind Jones and Jota.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: September 18 (vs. Chelsea)
Liverpool's midfield magician Thiago Alcantara was substituted during the second half of the 2-2 draw away to Fulham on matchday one after suffering a hamstring injury. After the game, Klopp admitted the injury was "not good," with a four-to-six week recovery timeframe making the Reds' trip to Stamford Bridge in mid-September a possible date for the Spaniard to return.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: October 9 (vs. Arsenal)
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's hamstring injury is thought to be the most serious at the club, with the England midfielder unlikely to return before October. The 29-year-old sustained the problem while sprinting forward for an effort on goal against Crystal Palace in pre-season.
LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST
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Status: Suspended
Return date: September 3 (vs. Everton)
Darwin Nunez was given a straight red card on his home debut for the club against Crystal Palace on Monday, after the Uruguay striker head-butted opposing defender Joachim Andersen following a running battle between the pair during Nunez's 57 minutes on the field. Nunez will instantly serve a three-match ban, making him unavailable for selection until the Merseyside derby.
Brett Curtis
