Liverpool defensive duo Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne have been ruled out Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, it has been confirmed.
Speaking at his media conference at lunchtime on Friday, as quoted by Goal correspondent Neil Jones on his personal Twitter account, manager Jurgen Klopp explained centre-back Lovren is suffering from concussion and has not trained.
Klopp also says Clyne is out. Lovren had concussion and has not trained. #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 7, 2018
Right-back Clyne also misses the clash and the pair will join a third international defender in Joe Gomez on the sidelines after he suffered an injury at Burnley in midweek that has ruled him out for six weeks.
Klopp on Gomez: "It could have been worse. Six weeks is massive for us, but it means he will be back for a big part of the season and that's good."
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 7, 2018
OPINION
It’s that time of year when injuries and suspensions start to bite, and Liverpool will be unable to call upon three internationals in Croatian Lovren and England pair Gomez and Clyne against high-flying Bournemouth. It is a triple blow, with the absence of Gomez, who has been so outstanding for Liverpool this season, a gut-wrencher. The 21-year-old is not only emerging as one of the best young centre-backs in the world but can also fill in with aplomb at right-back, as he did against Burnley and Paris Saint-Germain a week earlier. Lovren has slipped to third choice centre-back this season after playing such a key role in the team reaching last season’s Champions League final, when he was playing the best football of his career. He has missed plenty of matches this season through various injuries and appears to be paying the price for his exploits for club and country during such a demanding year. It is likely Joel Matip will once again partner main man Virgil van Dijk at the Vitality Stadium, with Trent Alexander-Arnold recalled to right-back.