Liverpool team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Sheffield United

Liverpool get 2020 underway at home to Sheffield United on Thursday looking to take another step towards what looks like an inevitable first title in 30 years.

The champions-elect enter the New Year sitting 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, having picked up 55 of the 57 points on offer during the first half of the season.

Sheffield United also go into the year off the back of a memorable 2019, though, and Liverpool will be wary of a team they only just scraped past in the reverse fixture.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest.

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: Unknown

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now off his crutches after suffering ankle ligament damage but is not expected back in training until mid-January. Jurgen Klopp is hopeful that he will be back available by February, though.

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur)

Klopp revealed that Xherdan Shaqiri would have started against Wolverhampton Wanderers had he not picked up a slight hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him out for a maximum of 10 days.

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

There is still no exact timescale of Dejan Lovren's return, but Klopp is hopeful of having all current injury doubts back by February and confirmed that the centre-back is "doing well".

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: Unknown

Fabinho is another who fell into the "doing well" category and, while this match will come too soon for the Brazilian, he is expected back at some point in January.

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur)

Joel Matip is considered the closest of Liverpool's longer-term absentees to a return, although he is not expected to make it back in time for this match or the FA Cup Merseyside derby with Everton.

© Reuters

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Nathaniel Clyne was the only player Klopp did not provide an injury update on after the win over Wolves, suggesting that the right-back is still some way away from recovering from his serious knee injury.

Liverpool have no players suspended for this match.