Liverpool XI vs Sheffield Utd: Starting lineup and team news - Alisson Becker out

Liverpool have this week been dealt a serious injury blow with the news that captain Jordan Henderson faces a long spell on the sidelines ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Sheffield United.

Henderson was forced off half an hour into last weekend’s Merseyside derby defeat at home to Everton, and further investigation by the club's medical team led to the 30-year-old having groin surgery.

As a result Henderson has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland next month. The midfielder's return to full training will be dependent on how his rehabilitation progresses.

Henderson, who has been playing as an emergency centre-back, joins an injury list which has showed no signs of shrinking for manager Jurgen Klopp this season.

His three senior central defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez (both knee) and Joel Matip (ankle) have all had their seasons ended prematurely while back-up Fabinho is still out having played just one of the last seven matches because of a muscle injury.

James Milner is back on the bench after by a hamstring problem along with fellow midfielder Naby Keita, who only returned to the squad last weekend for the first time since mid-December.

Meanwhile, Alisson Becker is not playing following the death of his father in Brazil earlier this week.

Liverpool XI: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson, Jones, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Salah, Firmino, Mane

Subs: Milner, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Origi, Rhys Williams, Neco Williams, Ojrzynski, Hughes.

Injury list: Henderson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip

Doubts: Jota, Alisson, Fabinho, Miner

Additional reporting by PA.

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