Virgil van Dijk among six Liverpool absentees for Toulouse trip despite training
Virgil van Dijk is one of six notable Liverpool players to miss out on the trip to Toulouse as Jurgen Klopp's men aim to seal qualification to the Europa League knockout stage.
The Reds know that a win will book their place in the next round and maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition so far. Liverpool boast a five point advantage over both the French outfit and Union Saint-Gilloise, while LASK remain the whipping boys of Group E on zero points after three games played.
Klopp will have to contest this next fixture without defensive stalwart Van Dijk though, despite the fact that the Dutchman trained with the rest of the squad in their last session before flying out on Wednesday afternoon. The Liverpool boss explained the reason behind the centre-back's absence.
"Virgil is a little bit ill. Not a big thing but we didn't want to have him and maybe some others have it as well. He should be alright for the weekend."
Van Dijk is not the only big name to sit this one out. The in-form Ryan Gravenberch has not travelled, which the Anfield faithful will hope doesn't halt the momentum he has gathered after a string of impressive performances so early on in his Liverpool career.
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Klopp issued an update on the Netherlands, telling reporters: "Ryan got a niggle on the knee - running already, no chance this game, maybe Brentford, definitely after."
It is a similar story for midfield duo Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara. The former is likely due to just being rested, while the latter is yet to actually play at all for Liverpool this season as a result of a hip injury. Spain international Thiago has also been the subject of some rumours linking him with an Anfield exit this week, with both Juventus and Inter Milan believed to be interested.
Stefan Bajcetic continues his recovery from a muscle injury and has therefore not travelled. Meanwhile Andy Robertson's shoulder injury is expected to kep the Scot sidelined for potentially as long as three months.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool during a training session prior the Toulouse FC and Liverpool FC UEFA Europa League match at Axa Training Centre on November 08, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)One Liverpool player who will be present is Luis Diaz, despite the ongoing search for his father Luis Manuel Diaz, who was kidnapped by left-wing insurgent group the National Liberation Army (ELN) on October 28. Despite vowing to release him, his location remains unknown.
Amidst such drama, Diaz is still expected to feature against Toulouse in France on Thursday in some capacity. The Colombia international has trained with his Liverpool team-mates before jetting out. Diaz played a vital role in his team's 1-1 draw against Luton last Sunday.
The 26-year-old winger came off the bench to head home a last-gasp equaliser to spare Liverpool's blushes at Kenilworth Road. Alexis Mac Allister has received a one-match domestic ban for picking up five yellow cards but is available to play against Toulouse.
Liverpool squad for Toulouse: Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Chambers, Scanlon, Doak, McConnell, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Mrozek.
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