Liverpool without eight first-team players for Newcastle United clash as duo push for return

Liverpool team news ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Anfield.
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Liverpool are without eight first-teamers for the visit of Newcastle United this evening, although their injury crisis has softened since the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are set to welcome back midfielder Curtis Jones and defender Joel Matip after the pair returned to training this week.

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Jones is yet to make an appearance this campaign, while Matip has been sidelined since the 2-2 opening day draw at Fulham.

However, Klopp still remains several senior stars - including the likes of Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita.

Fortunately for the Magpies, Jota, who scored in this fixture last season, is due to return to training on Thursday, a day after Eddie Howe’s side visit Anfield.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Thiago is also edging closer, as is new signing Calvin Ramsey and second choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, but are unlikely to feature tonight.

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Klopp said during his pre-match press conference: “I think Diogo [Jota] can train from Thursday on.

“Thiago [Alcantara] I think, slightly later. We’ll see. Calvin [Ramsay] is getting closer. Caoimhin Kelleher, I saw walking outside for goalkeeper training.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, definitely.”

Darwin Nunez will serve the final match of his three-match ban after headbutting Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen.

However, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Konate and Keita are yet to learn of a return date.

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Indeed, the Magpies head to Merseyside with injury problems of their own.

Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are injury doubts. Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson are ruled out.

Newcastle, however, do hope to have Alexander Isak available following his £58million club-record move from Real Sociedad on Friday.

Isak has received international clearance but is still awaiting a work permit from the governmement.