Jürgen Klopp has a replacement ready for Thiago as injury could force Liverpool to reconsider

Jürgen Klopp has revealed midfielder Thiago Alcântara is out of the Everton derby with a hip injury. However, Klopp has a wildcard option to replace Thiago.

It was probably not the news Liverpool fans wanted to hear. During the pre-match press conference ahead of Monday night’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Jurgen Klopp confirmed Thiago Alcântara could miss the match with injury.

“Thiago has problems,” he told reporters. “I know the problem, but I have to ask the medical department what can I say! With the hip flexor, that kind of thing, that’s all. He couldn’t fix it.”

It’s possible Thiago will play a part in the derby, but it seems unlikely he’ll be fit enough and Liverpool would do well not to take any chances.

The probable loss of Thiago poses problems for Liverpool and Klopp. Important for the midfield even in the best moments, his presence is needed more than ever given the current state of the midfield with so many out of shape.

Who will replace Thiago then, is the question that many have asked themselves. Klopp currently has two routes available.

Stefan Bajčetić has been one of the few leaders in what has been a miserable 2023 for Liverpool. The Spaniard has exceeded expectations after being thrown to the bottom by Klopp amid an injury crisis and declining form of Fabinho. But Bajčetić rose to the challenge and, if fully fit, should keep his place in lower midfield.

If Klopp continues to rely on Bajčetić, Jordan Henderson could play to Bajčetić’s right with Curtis Jones on the other. Jones has performed well in the derby against Everton in the past and with his return from injury it could be a brave call from Klopp to put the 22-year-old back in the mix, with his last start almost against Nottingham Forest for four months.

The other alternative available to Klopp would be to remove Bajčetić from the line of sight for the derby due to playing and installing Henderson at the base of midfield.

It would be a particularly tough decision given the teenager’s form and the fact that he has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent performer this year, but there are a few Sen.

Take a position on the left while Naby Keïta, always a favorite of Klopp when fit, stands on the right. A Jones-Henderson-Keïta midfielder has experience but with two of the three injured, they really lack rhythm.

It would be something of a gamble for Klopp to get Jones back into action and drop Bajčetić, but it could be worth it. When he succeeds, he seems like a tactical genius. If not, Klopp will wonder why he abandoned his best fit midfielder. Either way, it’s not an enviable position to be in, but it’s one that Klopp must be right.

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Theo Squires with the facts about Liverpool U18s after their thrilling 3-3 draw against Derby Counte.

When Liverpool Under-18s beat Stoke City 3-2 at the academy in late October, the win saw Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side level on points with Sunderland top of the Under-18 table years of Premier League North.

It would be the young Reds’ first game of the season without Lewis Koumas and their second without Ben Doak after the in-form pair were promoted to Barry Lewta’s Under-21 side. Since the duo are out of action for the U18s for completely different reasons, this remains their last league win to date.

Ben Doak celebrates scoring Liverpool’s goal

That winless run was extended to eight games on Saturday as Liverpool fought off a 3-3 draw with Derby County. After trailing 2-0 to start and trailing 3-1 at half time, an added time penalty earned them some of the spoils to ensure it was at least one positive result after a positive performance, but the team still made it six. have lost their last eight league games while dropping the FA Youth Cup and the U18 Premier League Cup. Now seventh in the table, they are 12 points behind Sunderland. But the Black Cats fell to second place, with Manchester City leading and more than twice as many points as Liverpool.

And while the young Reds will be proud of their performance against Derby and the way they battled to take a point, there’s no denying their winning streak continues.

“Potentially (it’s harder for them), yes,” Bridge-Wilkinson admitted speaking exclusively to ECHO after the final whistle. “But we don’t change overnight. “Whether we win, lose or draw, we come in and try to work more on our game, try to help the individuals improve and try to help the team improve. Whether we win, lose or draw, it’s all the same.

“I can imagine it’s hard for them. It’s never fun to keep losing or not winning games. But we believe in the group and within the staff.

“We know what we are capable of. We show people what we are capable of, we just have to put it in place and stick to a specific day.”