Liverpool suffer fresh injury blow on eve of new season with doubts over eight players

 

Curtis Jones is set to miss Liverpool's Premier League opener against Fulham with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also out and various other doubts for Jurgen Klopp to consider

Liverpool have suffered an injury blow ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham on Saturday with Curtis Jones ruled out.

The young midfielder, 21, came off the bench in the Community Shield against Manchester City last weekend but suffered a calf injury which is set to rule him out for up to four weeks, according to The Athletic. Liverpool are still yet to discover the full extent of the injury as they await a specialist opinion but he is expected to be ruled out of their first league game.

Jones, who played 27 times for Jurgen Klopp's side last season, was pictured in the stands at Anfield wearing a protective boot the day after the injury. He is the latest in a long line of doubts for Klopp heading into the Premier League campaign.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a serious hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in pre-season and is set to miss two or three months, ruling him out against Fulham. Diogo Jota, who signed a new contract this week, is also expected to be ruled out with a thigh injury suffered early in pre-season.

Back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has a groin injury, but fortunately first-choice Alisson is set to be available after an injury ruled him out of the Community Shield. Naby Keita is also likely to be available after missing the win over Manchester City due to illness.

Curtis Jones picked up an injury in the Community Shield against Man City

Other concerns for the Reds include Kostas Tsimikas and Ibrahima Konate, who both picked up minor knocks ahead of the game but may not be risked against Fulham. Despite juggling some injury concerns, Klopp stated after the conclusion of their pre-season schedule that his squad "look really good and sharp".