Team News: Key player returns but many still out for Liverpool ahead of Merseyside derby

Darwin Nunez returns but injuries plague Liverpool squad for Merseyside derby

According to Liverpool Echo, Darwin Nunez returns to the Liverpool squad to face Everton after serving his three-match suspension, but the Reds continue to be understaffed in midfield due to an injury crisis.

Liverpool have had a mini-injury crisis at the start of the season with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara all missing at some point till now. Jones made the return against Newcastle United but Jordan Henderson fell prey to another injury.

None of the players, barring Curtis Jones have made it to the Everton game, with Klopp confirming

that Thiago Alcantara is the closest to returning but Everton is too soon for the Spaniard.

Liverpool signed Arthur Melo on loan on deadline day to mitigate some of the injury issues but the German boss confirmed

that the Brazilian is unlikely to be available for Everton as he is yet to receive international clearance.

One player Jurgen Klopp can count on for this momentous clash is Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker returns to the squad after serving his three-match suspension for the infamous headbutt against Crystal Palace.

To be fair though, Robert Firmino has played very well in the absence of the Uruguayan and could be persisted with from the start against the Toffees. However, Nunez is a potent weapon to have off the bench.

One other player Liverpool are missing out on is Ibrahima Konate, with the French centre-back being out ever since the end of pre-season. However, Liverpool have options in central defence which should not be an issue.

Liverpool have had a very curious start to the Premier League season. They have a 9-0 thumping on Bournemouth and a late 2-1 win over Newcastle United but ended up losing one game and drawing another two.

More Liverpool News

• Steven Gerrard talks about the Douglas Luiz situation amid Liverpool links
• Rio Ferdinand identifies Fabinho as the reason for Newcastle’s opening goal against Liverpool
• Arthur Melo and Liverpool. How will this transfer turn out?

The Merseyside derby is a huge game for Liverpool. They will want to win against their bitter rivals and also to move up the Premier League table. On paper, it seems like an easy win for Jurgen Klopp’s men but you never know in a derby, and the Reds will have to be at their very best to beat Frank Lampard’s men today.