Liverpool team news: Reds' injury & availability updates ahead of Luton clash
Liverpool will take on Luton in the league for the first time since 1992, when they meet at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
The Reds go into the fixture 'fresh' off the back of their Carabao Cup last 16 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday, after which they were forced to travel home by coach with flights cancelled due to the stormy weather.
Jurgen Klopp hailed the victory in testing conditions a 'top cup tie', and will undoubtedly be extra pleased that no new fitness issues cropped up on the rain-soaked and wind-battered pitch.
But with another midweek-Sunday fixture combo, expect plenty of changes at Luton to the team that saw off the Cherries, as Liverpool aim to make it five wins on the spin since the international break.
Here's what we know about Liverpool's injuries, suspensions and availability issues heading into this one.
Andy Robertson
Klopp has confirmed that Andy Robertson underwent successful surgery on his shoulder injury, but there is no official timeline for the left back's recovery.
Speaking before the Reds 5-1 win over Toulouse last month, Klopp said: "Robbo had surgery and all went well, as good as it could be, so the recovery starts after he wakes up. I think it happened this morning. That’s it. We don’t know how long it will take or whatever, but the first step is done, that’s good."
Liverpool's number 26 is expected to miss the rest of the calendar year.
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz is likely to remain absent for a third a game following the horrendous situation in the player's homeland.
The Colombian's parents were kidnapped by armed men on Saturday, and while Diaz's mother has since been rescued, the search remains on for his father.
According to reports, the 26-year-old has been persuaded by his family to stay in England rather than return home over security fears. Regardless, he will be not expected to play for Liverpool under the circumstances.
Thiago Alcantara
Another all-but certain absentee this weekend will be Thiago.
The 32-year-old remains out as he attempts to find his way back to full fitness following the setbacks he suffered following hip surgery at the tail-end of last season.
There is no return date currently pencilled in for the veteran playmaker, who has yet to play a minute of football in 2023/24.
READ MORE: Thiago's injury – everything you need to know
Stefan Bajcetic
Like Thiago, 19-year-old Stefan Bajcetic suffered setbacks on his road to recovery after serious injury earlier in the year.
Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth, assistant manager Pep Lijnders teased the possibility of game time for the Spain Under-21 star in the near future.
He said: "With Stefan, he’s not available at the moment and we’re working with the medical team to discuss how we introduce him over the coming period."
Ben Doak
Liverpool's teenage winger Ben Doak has not been part of a matchday squad since the international break, after picking up a knock on duty with the Scotland Under-21 side.
Ahead of the Bournemouth win, Lijnders revealed, however, that Doak is now back in training.
He said: "Ben Doak trained yesterday [for the] first time, how Ben Doak is: full of energy, a big heart, always wanting to go. Good to see that, really good to see him back."
The former Celtic startlet was still not included in the Carabao Cup outing, and it's anybody's guess if he will be included for the trip to Luton.
Conor Bradley
After Thiago, Conor Bradley is the only other outfield Liverpool first-teamer yet to play a minute this season.
The Northern Ireland international had been poised to step up as Trent Alexnader-Arnold's deputy right back, but suffered a back injury during the summer.
He has been predicted to miss most of the rest of 2023 as he recovers, while Lijnders spoke positively of the's 20-year-old's progress.
"Conor is not in team training but he is getting really close," he said. "He is with the ball, he is doing all these things with [Andreas] Schlumberger (Liverpool's head of recovery and performance) and that looks promising.
"It will be great to have him back because we know that he can be a really attacking threat on our right side."
Curtis Jones
Finally, Curtis Jones is available for selection once again having completed his three-match domestic ban for a straight red card against Tottenham at the end of September.
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