Henderson and Robertson status still unknown

Liverpool is in their final preparations for matchday five of the Champions League in Group B as they are set to welcome Portuguese giants FC Porto to Anfield tomorrow night having already been guaranteed group winners after securing a 7-point lead over Dragões with two matches to spare, but could be missing two key players for the clash according to boss Jürgen Klopp.

The German headmaster gave updates on both club captain Jordan Henderson and key left-back Andrew Robertson ahead of tomorrow but was unable to declare either player fit for service ahead of the European home fixture and was coy on whether their chances on featuring are close.

Klopp on whether Henderson is ready to start tomorrow night. “We will see,” the skipper isn’t 100% yet. “When he came on at Arsenal [it was] to see the game out…” Robertson is “similar” but the upcoming schedule needs to be considered. “We did not make the decision yet.” #LFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 23, 2021

Henderson featured for England in their 5-0 rout against Albania over the international break but picked up a knock and subsequently left the Three Lions camp early and missed the San Marino fixture as a result. His failure to make the starting XI against Arsenal at the weekend and only being given 14-minutes shows that he is likely not close to a return to the Liverpool starting XI especially given the uncertainty shown by Klopp.

As for Robertson, the Scottish international was only 50-50 to face Arsenal at the weekend after an injury scare on international duty and did not feature at all against the Gunners as he continued to be monitored closely by club physios. It seems likely that, with passage into the knockout stage secure as group winners, Robertson will not be rushed back for Liverpool with tricky domestic fixtures to come for the Reds.

Liverpool back on track in 4-0 thrashing

After a narrow 3-2 loss against West Ham before the international break that ended their unbeaten run in the 2021-22 season, Liverpool got back on track in the Premier League against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in a 4-0 thrashing of the Gunners at Anfield.

Sadio Mané and Trent Alexander-Arnold led the goal contributions on the day, with Mané bagging a goal and adding an assist while TAA was credited with a brace of helpers against an Arsenal side that, despite their impressive run of form, were thrown back down to earth and given a stark reminder that they are still off the pace of the top-three sides this season.

There was even a touchline scrap between Jürgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta during the first half on Merseyside, as both were eventually shown yellow cards by match official Michael Oliver.

The result was the perfect tonic for the Reds to have normal service in the league resumed as they look forward to domestic clashes with Southampton, Everton, and Wolves just over the horizon.