Randall Injury Blow Means Another Start for Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne has started every match this season for Liverpool bar Bordeaux away to kick off their Europa League campaign, and with his form dipping in recent weeks many have begun to worry the star right back is showing signs of overwork. There had been some hope he would be given the night off against Rubin Kazan.

However, following news that young right back Connor Randall had been ruled out following a muscle strain in training, Clyne is set to start again. With Joe Gomez injured and Jose Enrique seemingly not in Jürgen Klopp's plans any more than he was in Brendan Rodgers', Liverpool's depth at fullback even before Randall's injury was woefully thin.

"On Tuesday, Connor Randall had a problem," Klopp told the press ahead of Thursday's match, revealing the news that means the promising 20-year-old will not be able to spell Clyne as he did left back Alberto Moreno last week against Bournemouth. "It's something to do with a muscle. He wasn't good so he couldn't travel."

Liverpool currently stand second in Europa League's Group B, one point ahead of both Rubin Kazan and Bordeaux and well back of first place FC Sion. A win that puts some distance between them and the group's trailers would be ideal, but as long as they earn a point tonight in Russia they will stay in the thick of the advancement race.

Randall joins Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Rossiter, and Jordan Henderson on the short-term injury list, with all four players expected back at some point within the month. Joe Gomez and Danny Ings are long-term absences with ACL injuries, while Jon Flanagan is expected back in the new year. Kolo Toure is fit ahead of schedule and could face Kazan.