Kop injury crisis nothing compared to those of the one-man teams
LIvERPOOL have been terribly unlucky with injuries this season. That is widely acknowledged. Yet even while central defenders — and lately their understudies — have been blighted, other areas of Jurgen Klopp’s team remain strong. No club can boast a front three as dangerous as Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who have featured in 74 of a possible 78 league games, or full backs as productive as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who together have played in 50 of a possible 52 matches. Liverpool were top of the league in January, with two midfielders at centre half; Manchester City are now 12 points clear without Sergio Aguero because their forwardmidfield is so strong. An injury crisis for a big club will never compare to the impact of one or two injuries down the table. Take
Newcastle. At the time Callum Wilson tore a hamstring, in the 36th minute against Southampton on February 6, he had scored 10 league goals — or 41.6 per cent of Newcastle’s total for the season. And there is no one else. Joelinton has amassed seven goals, in all competitions, across the best part of two years. The last time Andy Carroll reached double figures in the Premier League was 2010-11. Dwight Gayle’s best return was seven with Crystal Palace in 2013-14.
Just one injury at a small club can disrupt progress. Think of Palace without Wilfried Zaha. They have won just three league games in which he has not played since September 24, 2016. Even Leicester are struggling. They may be chasing a place in the Champions League but a spate of injuries at a crucial stage threatens to derail them again. They have been without the first-choice back four on occasions, but now face losing James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, James Justin, Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana. The absence of any two of those players would spell trouble. The biggest clubs may claim that five substitutes would have lightened the load, but not outside the elite. Who do Palace have who could allow them to rest Zaha, how do Newcastle replace Wilson? If the best player is fit, he plays. If he is out, they struggle. Liverpool and Manchester City have options the majority do not possess.