Liverpool without six injured players for Chelsea fixture as Thiago Alcantara wait goes on
Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday evening
Liverpool will be without six players due to injury when facing Chelsea on Wednesday evening.
Jurgen Klopp's side will be looking to issue a response to Arsenal's narrow win at Nottingham Forest as the Reds look to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
There are certain individuals who will not be able to play their part at Anfield tonight, however, as Klopp waits on various members of his squad to make their returns from injury setbacks.
Listed below is a round-up of those still on the treatment table and unable to star in Liverpool's latest fixture.
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Thiago Alcantara is edging closer to making his long-awaited return, though Klopp confirmed on Tuesday the Spanish star is not quite ready to take to the pitch. He said: "Thiago trained [for the] first time, which was an incredible moment after all the months he couldn't. And then training at the level he trains – oof! But he needs time. But it's anyway a wonderful sign for yesterday."
Fellow midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, another long-term absentee, remains sidelined and is expected back at some stage in February. Speaking last month, Klopp remarked: "They [Thiago and Bajcetic] will not be ready for the end of this month. It will probably be going into the next month to train with us. But both [with] no complications, progressing."
Youngster Ben Doak is not yet back in training after picking up a knee injury during an under-21s fixture in December. Commenting on the Scot, Pep Lijnders previously stated: "That's not a good one. He tore his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery. That one will take [a] longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. He can take time and we will wait for him."
This game also comes too soon for Mohamed Salah and Kostas Tsimikas, who could both be available once again in mid-February as the Reds look to continue their push for trophies on all four fronts. Joel Matip remains a long-term absentee and is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after his ACL blow against Fulham in December.
Wataru Endo is the final player unable to feature, though this relates to the midfielder representing his country at the Asian Cup.