Liverpool are without Virgil van Dijk, Curtis Jones and Fabinho for tonight’s Premier League clash with Newcastle after all three players registered “suspected positive tests for Covid-19”.
Better new for Jurgen Klopp is the Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino is available again after injury and starts on the bench, though Jones’ Covid diagnosis adds a further delay to his own return.
"Bobby trained completely normal,” said Klopp ahead of the game.
“He's in contention. Curtis did the first session partially with the team. He's not far off. Getting two players back of this calibre is good news.
“I really don’t like to talk about it because always when I say something like, ‘It looks really good’, then I get a call, but it looks OK in the moment. No new injuries.”
In Van Dijk’s absence, Ibrahima Konate partners Joel Matip at centre-back, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Jordan Henderson and Thiago in midfield, with Fabinho missing.
Liverpool will be without Divock Origi, who remains sidelined.
Liverpool starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Thiago, Mane, Jota, Salah
