Curtis Jones' ban is over - so where is he against Luton?
By
Daryl Finch
Daryl Finch
Despite now having served his three-match suspension for a straight red card received in Liverpool's 2-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur last month, Curtis Jones was not part of the matchday squad for the Reds' Premier League clash against Luton Town on Sunday afternoon.
His absence is due to "a minor fitness issue", as confirmed by the club.
Jones featured in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win at Bournemouth earlier this week, but in light of this new issue, coach Jurgen Klopp has decided not to take any chances with the 22-year-old during this hectic run of fixtures.
This game marks the sixth this season that Jones has missed due to either injury or suspension. His absence from the starting lineup is one of eight changes made by Klopp for the Luton trip, with Joe Gomez taking on the left-back role, replacing Kostas Tsimikas.
In Jones' absence, Ryan Gravenberch once again gets the nod in central midfield.
Diaz on the bench
In somewhat more positive news for Liverpool, Luis Diaz returned to the squad and took a spot on the bench after missing the previous two games following the kidnapping of his parents in Colombia.
“It is still pretty emotional but Luis [Diaz] decided three days ago that he wants to try training again," Klopp told Sky Sports prior to the game.
"I have said before, the training ground, the football pitch is the safe place for the boys. There he can behave normal and for a few minutes at least forget what is going on. But all the signs he gets as I understand it are very positive."
Another positive from the team sheet at Kenilworth Road was the return of young Scotsman Ben Doak to the bench.
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