Liverpool remain hopeful that Fabinho will be fit for Saturday’s Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield, although the Brazilian is still a doubt with a muscle injury.
The midfielder – who has spent most of the season in defence due to the Reds’ injury issues – has missed the last two matches with the problem, and didn’t travel to Budapest for the Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
The former Monaco man has become the latest victim of the club’s ongoing injury issues to their defenders, and his latest problem comes off the back of his return to the side after two weeks out to face Manchester City earlier this month.
The Reds are prepared to give Fabinho every chance to face Everton, but are aware that he could well be fighting a losing battle.
They may decide to keep him out of the action in order to rest his injury for a full week before their next game away at Sheffield United next weekend.
In Fabinho’s absence a new Liverpool centre-back pairing of Jordan Henderson and Ozan Kabak – a 17th of the season – have been fielded in the last two matches, and the pair impressed together against Leipzig.
It could be that Jurgen Klopp fields the two together again, although ideally he’d like to have the option of moving Henderson back into midfield.
Naby Keita could soon come into consideration for a midfield berth after he returned to training with the squad prior to the Leipzig game.
The Guinean wasn’t considered for the match in Budapest and didn’t travel, but the Reds are optimistic he will soon be available as they take a tailored approach to his return from his latest injury
