Liverpool injury worry: Van Dijk, Milner and Mane MISSING from training ahead of Chelsea

LIVERPOOL were without three big names in training today as they prepared of Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.

Posted Friday, September 28, 2018 by Express.co.uk

The two sides met in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday with Chelsea winning 2-1 thanks to a stunning individual goal from Eden Hazard.

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League table, two points clear of the Blues.

But ahead of their first league game of the season against one of the ‘Top 6’, Jurgen Klopp could be facing an injury crisis.

In pictures released by Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, James Milner and Sadio Mane were all absent.

Van Dijk picked up a rib injury in last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton and missing the defeat to Chelsea.

Milner played 61 minutes before coming off for Jordan Henderson and Mane lasted 72 minutes before being replaced by Roberto Firmino.

Sturridge, who was also absent, completed the game and Klopp made no reference to an injury post-match.

But the possibility of being without Van Dijk, Milner and Mane, who have been regulars will be a concern to Klopp.

Liverpool injury worry: Van Dijk, Milner and Mane MISSING from training ahead of Chelsea
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with Mohamed Salah

The likes of Naby Keita and Fabinho, who featured against Chelsea, were present in training.

Adam Lallana also took part as he continues his recovery from a groin strain picked up on England duty.

Klopp made eight changes to his team on Wednesday and after the match was asked about the possibility of the players who came into the starting XI retaining their places on Saturday.

He said: “Let me say it like this: hopefully they don’t have to. It was very intense.

Liverpool injury worry: Van Dijk, Milner and Mane MISSING from training ahead of Chelsea
Dejan Lovren leads the players out for training

Liverpool injury worry: Van Dijk, Milner and Mane MISSING from training ahead of Chelsea
Alisson Becker of Liverpool during a training session

"A few of the players who were not involved tonight are not 100 per cent fit, so we will see what we do.

"But it would be cool if we could make these changes again because not playing for a long time and then playing these 95, 96, 97 minutes and then playing three days later again would, of course, not be pure joy.

"We have to see. But they did well, that’s good.”