MatchWolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: Team news
Alexander-Arnold sustained a hamstring injury during the Reds’ 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break and was, according to Jürgen Klopp, never in contention to play at Molineux.
However, Konate, who missed his side’s victories against Newcastle United and Villa due to a muscle problem, and Nunez, on his return from Uruguay duty, are likely to be involved in the lunchtime kick-off.
Klopp told the media on Friday afternoon: “[There is] no concern [over Alexander-Arnold]. He is not available, we knew that before.
“He didn’t train with the team once yet and will take a little bit. It is not the worst hamstring injury you can have but it’s a hamstring injury and they barely heal in two weeks – and this one didn’t, either.
“As he is running already, we hope he can start ball work early next week and then we will see and go from there.
“Ibou trained for two days with the team. I didn’t see him [Nunez] yet, but we obviously had contact and he said it was fine, but we will see that now and make a couple of decisions there. Darwin should be fine.”
Klopp – who will be without suspended captain Virgil van Dijk – remains unsure whether other members of his South American contingent will be ready to face Wolves following their national-team exertions.
He said: “I think 30-odd hours ago Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] played in Bolivia, landed yesterday morning at four o’clock. Lucho [Luis Diaz] at 9am yesterday.
“So, let’s see where we can pick up from there. I didn’t see them yet, I will see them today and we will make decisions about the game tomorrow.”
On the possibility of deadline-day midfield signing Ryan Gravenberch debuting at Molineux, Klopp stated: “We will see that.”
Meanwhile, the boss also offered an update on Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Jarell Quansah.
He said: “Thiago is running, but that’s it. [Quansah] trained the full week with us, so it was obviously then enough time to rest. Stefan had a good camp with the [Spain] U21s, played only a few minutes but [it] helped him anyway. I think that’s it.”
Finally, two members of Klopp’s squad could hit personal milestones this weekend.
Curtis Jones is one game short of making 100 appearances for the club, while Andy Robertson is in line to play for the 200th time for the Reds in the Premier League.
For Wolves, head coach Gary O’Neil reported no fresh injury concerns.
He said during his press conference on Friday: “The lads are in a good spot. Hodgey’s [Joe Hodge] still out, but the rest of the group are in a good place.
“A couple rejoined us late, it was the first day of training [on Friday] for a couple, but in terms of injuries we’re in a good spot.
“Tommy Doyle played a part in the training ground game and felt fine. He hasn’t played a lot of football since the Euros, but we’re trying to get him up to speed enough to be in and around the matchday squad tomorrow, which is positive.
“We have a couple of question marks, as I’m sure all managers do, over the lads who’ve travelled a long way, how well they’ll be able to recover and go again, especially for an early kick-off, but I’m looking forward to the game.”
Last match
Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa (September 3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Nunez.
Crystal Palace 3-2 Wolves (September 3): Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Sarabia, Gomes, Lemina, Neto, Silva, Cunha.
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