Who’s injured for Liverpool’s trip to Norwich, who’s doubtful and who could make a surprise start

Liverpool’s quest for a 20th league title begins on Saturday when they travel to Norwich City (17.30).

Jurgen Klopp’s men will be looking for a perfect start against the newly promoted Canaries, with Carrow Road proving a happy hunting ground for the Reds in recent years.

The visitors will be without at least one key player, however, while other important members of the squad are unlikely to start the Premier League opener.

Who’s definitely absent?

Andy Robertson pulled up in Liverpool’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Sunday.

On first showing, Robertson’s ankle injury looked ominous and he needed to be carried off the pitch.

However, a scan the following day allayed those fears. The left-back had suffered ligament damage and would be sidelined for weeks rather than months.

Klopp has said he expects Robertson will return to fitness either before or after the international break in September.

Meanwhile, Curtis Jones will also miss the trip to Carrow Road. The midfielder suffered concussion during Monday night’s 3-1 defeat of Osasuna.

Premier League protocol means he has to miss the game.

Who’s doubtful?

Klopp has to decide whether to slot Virgil van Dijk back into the starting XI after his long-term knee injury.

The centre-back has been progressing well in pre-season and played for 70 minutes against Bilbao, but Liverpool won’t want him to break down again given how important a player he is.

Should Van Dijk be selected then Joe Gomez is highly unlikely to start alongside him. The England international has himself just recovered from a similar knee problem and Klopp won’t risk them both.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Klopp said: “I think so, it looks like [they are available to start]. But how it is with these kind of things, we have nothing to rush in this department.”

“We just have to make a decision on who will start, who will come on, things like this and if I think they are ready for 90 minutes then they are ready to start.

“If I think we have to take them off earlier then it makes no sense because centre-half is not actually a position where you want to change during a game.

“But both look really good. An intense season is coming up. We will see how we decide that.”

Captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara may also have to settle for places among the substitutes.

Henderson only returned to Anfield duty at the start of the month after helping England reach the final of Euro 2020.

Thiago, meanwhile, missed both pre-season friendlies against Bologna last week with a minor injury and was only fit enough to come off the bench against Osasuna.

Could a surprise be sprung?

The injury to Robertson means that Kostas Tsimikas will make his full Premier League debut.

The Greek defender totalled just six minutes of action in the top flight last season but has been catching the eye during pre-season.

The main question is who will partner Fabinho and Naby Keita in the three-man midfield.

James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both options but Klopp could be tempted to hand Harvey Elliott his maiden Premier League start.

The mercurial 18-year-old had an impressive loan spell at Championship side Blackburn Rovers last season, registering seven goals and 11 assists in 41 games.

Elliott has continued to catch the eye throughout pre-season and left supporters purring with his performance against Bilbao.

The former Fulham youngster made his top-flight debut for the Reds aged 16 years and 209 days as a late substitute in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in January 2020 but has not played since.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Klopp said: “He’s not the only one but Harvey is only 18 and the only problem he has is that we don’t treat him like an 18-year-old boy - at least not in training sessions and on the pitch.

“Like all our midfielders, he brings a different dimension to the game. His dribbling is top and his passing range is really good.”

What about the opponents?

Norwich will be relieved to have influential midfielder Todd Cantwell available.

He rolled his ankle in training but has been given the green light to play.

The Canaries will be without Przemyslaw Placheta, who’s not fit after contracting Covid-19, while Andrew Omobamidele is a doubt as he recovers from tonsillitis.

Sam Byrom (hamstring) is a long-term casualty.

Predicted line-up

Starting XI: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott, Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane.

Subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konate, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino.