With Liverpool set to face FC Basel tomorrow in their first Champions League match away from Anfield in five years, there are some noticeable absentees from the squad — though for vastly different reasons.
Reds striker Daniel Sturridge was a always going to be a late fitness test for the European showdown, but after being reviewed by the Liverpool’s medical staff yesterday, the 25-year old has been left back on Merseyside to recover further. It’s hoped that he will be at least fit enough for the bench when West Bromwich Albion visit Anfield at the weekend, but it’s believed that he will not be risked by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers should the thigh injury that ruled him out for three weeks continue to hamper him.
The other notable absentee from the traveling party is defender Mamadou Sakho. The Frenchman stormed out of Anfield over the weekend after being excluded from the match-day squad for the Merseyside Derby and has subsequently incurred the wrath of Liverpool fans everywhere. Although he has since apologized for his actions, it looks like it wasn’t quite enough as the 24-year old was left at home.
“I really want to apologise to the club, the supporters and every person who felt offended when I left the stadium this afternoon,” Sakho said via his various social media accounts. “I’m aware that it was a bad choice from my part to go isolating to watch the game!”
Yeah, you think?
