Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will be hopeful that he will be able to count on the availability of key men Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson Becker ahead of the Merseyside Derby – with the pair doubtful after the international break.
The Reds will be looking to avenge the events of February’s reverse fixture, when they come up against neighbors Everton on Wednesday (April 2). The Toffees snatched a late draw in a thrilling 2-2 encounter in what was the final ever derby clash at Goodison Park as the Blues prepare to move to a new stadium on the city’s docklands next season.
Having slumped to defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United heading into the international break, Slot’s side will have a point to prove at Anfield in midweek. Liverpool has established a 12-point advantage over nearest challengers Arsenal at the Premier League summit, making them overwhelming favorites to clinch the title.
With nine games left of the top flight campaign, the Reds will require 16 points from the 27 available to secure a second crown in five years. However, manager Slot will be sweating over the availability of crucial stars Gravenberch and Alisson after they both sparked injury fears while on international duty.
Below, Liverpool.com has compiled together an injury list ahead of the visit of Everton to Anfield in midweek…
Alisson Becker
First up we have Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson, who suffered a suspected concussion in Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Colombia during the March internationals. The Reds’ No. 1 was involved in a clash of heads with former Tottenham star Davinson Sanchez in the encounter.
The issue forced the player to miss his country’s clash with Argentina which followed. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar issued the following update on the goalkeeper’s fitness during a press conference: “Alisson suffered a trauma to the head region, he was replaced by a suspected concussion.
“Now we will do all the CBF protocol, it will undergo recommended imaging tests, a computed tomography, then a resonance with diffusion. If all the tests are normal, we’ll follow up and do a cognitive test. And then we will evaluate the player. In the possibility that everything is normal, we will make a sequence of observations in the coming days. Today, we will do the tests, all the necessary evaluations.
He added: “Alisson is normal, with no complaints. He reported no fainting and no memory loss. He thought it was a little slower. In this complaint, the recommended is the replacement of the player.”
Alisson took part in training upon his return to Liverpool’s AXA Training Center on March 31.
Ryan Gravenberch
Next up is Ryan Gravenberch, with the defensive midfielder having being sent home from the Netherlands’ training camp for the March internationals due to injury. The former Ajax and Bayern Munich man sustained an injury in the Reds’ Carabao Cup final loss against Newcastle United this month.
Having pulled out of his country’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinal clashes with Spain, the KNVB said: “Ryan Gravenberch has left the Oranje’s training camp this evening. “The midfielder is still suffering from an injury sustained over the weekend that prevents him from playing in the matches against Spain.”
(Image: Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The 22-year-old was also spotted taking part in training at the AXA Training Center on March 31.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Amid the ongoing speculation regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Anfield, the right-back is still sidelined through an injury sustained in the second leg last-16 loss against PSG this month. The ankle injury picked up against the French champions meant that he missed the Carabao Cup final.
The defender is not expected to be back to full fitness until late April. Manager Slot confirmed: “So, Trent is indeed not available. He will not be there at the final. He is still to be assessed for how long it’s going to take, but we do expect him back in the end of the season.”
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Joe Gomez
Fellow defender Joe Gomez has been sidelined through injury since the FA Cup loss against Plymouth Argyle in February. Having picked up a hamstring issue, he has since undergone surgery and will not return to the fold until May.
Slot confirmed: “Joe had surgery for his hamstring injury, so he’s out for a long time. He will be back maybe just before the end of the season.”
Conor Bradley
Finally, we have right-back Conor Bradley, who has been missing from action since February after he was withdrawn in the closing stages of a draw against Aston Villa. The Northern Irishman is expected back to full fitness in early May too.
Slot issued the following update on the player’s injury status: “He’s frustrated, but his initial frustration has kind of subsided a little bit, and his focus is on trying to get fit for the end of the season, and Conor is very diligent on that side of things. He will do everything possible to get fit.”
