Liverpool dealt potential injury blow as key pair withdraw from international duty

Liverpool host Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are back in action next Saturday evening as they play host to high-flying Arsenal under the lights at Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit suffered their first defeat of the campaign as they came unstuck against West Ham last time out, and will be looking to get back to winning ways to avoid Chelsea opening up a gap at the top of the table.

Defeat in the capital.#WHULIV pic.twitter.com/EQZKayTXEp

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 7, 2021

The Reds currently sit four points off the lead, but know any further slip-ups could prove costly even at this early juncture, with Thomas Tuchel’s side in imperious form.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could themselves leapfrog Liverpool into the top four with a victory.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a ten-game unbeaten run, but the only true test (with all due respect to the other clubs) has been a trip to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City, which they emerged from as 2-0 victors.

Liverpool will force Mikel Arteta’s side to raise their level even further, and while they have their own injury doubts, they could be boosted by a pair of issues for Liverpool.

Key Liverpool duo leave international duty early

Worryingly for Liverpool fans, a pair of first-team players have left their respective international camps through injury over the past 24 hours.

Firstly, Sadio Mane flew home from Senegal, after being substituted just 28 minutes into his country’s clash with Togo on Satruday. This follows an X-ray on his ribs which showed potential damage, certainly enough to rule him out of their second tie.

Then, this morning, it was confirmed that Jordan Henderson would be leaving the England set-up after picking up an injury, as of yet of undisclosed severity.

An official statement read:

“Henderson and Grealish have returned to their respective clubs for further assessment on injuries”

A further update on the squad travelling to San Marino:

— England (@England) November 14, 2021

This could leave Liverpool light for their Premier League clash should the pair be unavailable, with Klopp already missing Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita (both hamstring) and Harvey Elliot (ankle) from his squad.

Will the pair make the cut against the Gunners?

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