Liverpool predicted line-up vs. PSV: One change expected as Wirtz faces fitness battleplaceholder image
Liverpool predicted line-up vs. PSV: One change expected as Wirtz faces fitness battle | Getty Images
The latest team news and predicted line-up ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League tie against PSV.
Liverpool are back in Champions League action when they welcome Dutch champions PSV to Anfield on Wednesday night – but Arne Slot has some selection headaches to handle as he tries to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Florian Wirtz is a doubt after he was ruled out of the surprising 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, while the right-back position has become a headache again with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong both working through recent injuries.
With as many as six players expected to be out or doubtful for the Champions League match, we’ve collected all of the latest team news and injury updates below, along with our prediction for Slot’s starting line-up.
Will Florian Wirtz be fit to face PSV?
Summer signing Wirtz found some form over the international break with Germany, providing two assists during a 6-0 win over Slovakia, but he also picked up an injury, with his late substitution during that match proving to be the result of a muscular problem.
That issue kept Wirtz out of the matchday squad for the defeat to Nottingham Forest, but Slot said during his pre-match press conference that the German “should be able to play after [the Forest match]” and that it “shouldn’t be that long” before he was back in action.
Unfortunately, it now appears that he Wirtz have to wait a few more days before making his comeback. The 22-year-old missed training on Tuesday and The Liverpool Echo report that he is expected to miss the game against PSV as well. It is hoped that he will be available for this weekend’s Premier League game against West Ham United provided that there are no further setbacks.
When will Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong be back for Liverpool?
Right-back has become something of a problem position for Slot this season, with Frimpong dealing with multiple injury issues – and the manager has told the media that his latest injury, to his hamstring, will keep him out for at least another two to three weeks, meaning that he may remain out until the match against Brighton & Hove Albion on 13 December.
Unfortunately Liverpool’s other first-team right-back, Bradley, is also out for the next few games due to an undisclosed muscular problem picked up while playing for Northern Ireland. Slot has explained that Bradley would be out for three weeks as well, suggesting that he will be targeting the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on 20 December.
Until then, it’s likely that Dominik Szoboszlai will continue to deputise at right-back after some strong showings in the position earlier in the campaign. The Hungarian was especially impressive during the 1-0 win against Arsenal in August and it will be hoped that he can step in just effectively for the coming weeks while Bradley and Frimpong recover.
Three of Liverpool’s more promising youngsters also remain sidelined, with Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Jayden Danns (hamstring) expected to be long-term absentees, although Stefan Bajcetic (also hamstring) is closer to a return and has reportedly resumed light training. There are no indications that the Spaniard will be fit to face PSV, however.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs. PSV: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konaté, Szoboszlai; Gravenberch, Jones; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Salah; Isak.
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