Liverpool have been dealt a sizeable injury blow ahead of their FA Cup clash with Everton on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp confirming Naby Keita will miss the game.
The 24-year old midfielder has been set to start against Sheffield United in the Premier League on Thursday, only for him to pull out late on after picking up a groin injury in the pre-match warm up.
Following the game, where Liverpool won 2-0, Klopp confirmed that Keita’s injury would see him miss the Merseyside Derby at Anfield, saying:
It was his groin and he will not be involved for Everton. That is not cool. He did it with the last shot warming up.
With Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also out injured, Keita’s absence will leave the Reds short of options in midfield.
Everton will be in a similar boat, with JP Gbamin and Andre Gomes both out injured, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Fabian Delph will both face a late fitness test to be available.
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Everton will know that they face an uphill battle facing Liverpool on Sunday, and with this being the Toffees’ last chance at silverware this season, all the pressure will be on the players to perform.
While Keita might not be the most intimidating player for the Reds to lose, any injury that they have helps Everton’s cause, and the players will need to be at their best to make his absence count.
Ancelotti will face his first big test as Everton manager at Anfield, and hopefully he can use his guile and managerial experience to come up with a result.
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