Pep Lijnders gives update on Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi

Liverpool assitant coach Pep Lijnders has given an update on Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi with the pair missing the trip to Chelsea through injury.

The Reds have got a fair few selection headaches to deal with at the moment, thanks to injury, covid and now AFCON.

Indeed, the side that featured at Chelsea will not be the one that takes on Arsenal on Thursday night in the EFL Cup, with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah both jetting off to link up with their respective nations for their continental competition.

Naby Keita will also be unavailable from the squad because of that, and so the likes of Origi and Minamino will be needed as the Reds try to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.

Lijnders, then, gave an update on the injury state of play after the draw at Chelsea on Sunday night:

Anfield Watch Verdict

It's going to be pretty intriguing seeing what side Liverpool can put together against Arsenal this Thursday night and, indeed, just how strong it is going to be.

The semi-final stage of the competition surely warrants Liverpool naming a strong side as the Reds bid for silverware but, of course, fixture congestion also needs to be factored in and the shortage of players needs to be considered too.

It's an unenviable task Jurgen Klopp and Lijnders have at the moment but, hopefully, come Thursday night we'll still have a good side named at the Emirates, looking to get a positive result against the Gunners.