Daily Football Tid-bits: Liverpool Without Some Game-changing Players For Manchester City Clash

Liverpool are without a number of key players for this weekend’s clash against Manchester City. Namely, the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho. This could very well be an early title decider or, at least, indicator.

Van Dijk suffered an injury during the Merseyside Derby, at the hands of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. This injury could put him out for the rest of the season due to knee ligament damage. The towering dutchman has truly tightened up Liverpool’s defense since his arrival midway through the 2018 campaign. In 2016/17 the reds conceded 42 goals in the league. In 2017/18, Van Dijk’s first half season at the club, that number dropped to 38. In 2018/19 they conceded a wildly incredible 22 goals, the least in the league, as Manchester City pipped them to their first title by a single point. When they won the title last season, they again managed to concede the least goals, with that number sitting at the mere 33 goals.

Thiago Alcantara was Liverpool’s marquee signing in the window just gone. Widely considered the player who could become Liverpool's metronome in midfield, Thiago has had a mixed time at Anfield. When he is on the field, he is everything Jurgen Klopp could have wanted, however he has also suffered from Covid-19, interrupting his momentum. The Spanish international was known among experts as the puzzle piece that would have boosted an already complete Liverpool team. He will not be available for this weekend’s clash due to injury. Liverpool fans will miss him because he is, quite possibly, the only player who can break through the Manchester City squad from the center of the park.

Fabinho has been filling in at center-back for Virgil Van Dijk due to his injury. However, Fabinho himself picked up a hamstring injury in a Champions League win over FC Midtjylland. Jurgen Klopp has openly stated that this was “exactly the last thing we [Liverpool] needed.” The Brazilian maestro is nicknamed “the hoover” among his Liverpool teammates, that should be enough to tell you what his role is within the team. He has recorded 10 interceptions and maintained a 90% pass success rate while being played largely out of position. Fabinho is the anchor of this Liverpool side and the saving grace after Van Dijk’s injury. He will miss this crucial game and could the the difference between whether or not the reds pick up 3 points.

Liverpool versus Manchester City, this game could tip the title race in a certain direction. Both sides have had their blunders this season. Liverpool lost to Aston Villa 7-2 while City lost to Leicester 5-2. Will Liverpool’s injury setbacks be too big of a mountain for the remaining players to overcome?

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