Manchester United vs Liverpool: Alberto Moreno doubtful for Old Trafford clash after pulling hamstring during training

Liverpool suffered a fresh injury blow on the eve of their crunch clash against Manchester United in the second leg of the Europa League last-16 at Old Trafford after Alberto Moreno pulled up with a hamstring injury during training on Wednesday night (16 March). The Merseyside club opted to travel to Manchester ahead of the game and Jurgen Klopp was putting his team through the paces at the Red Devils' home ground when injury struck.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are still hopeful that the defender will play, but if it is a hamstring problem, he is unlikely to be risked by the manager. He is set to be assessed on Thursday (17 March) to find out the extent of the injury. The Spaniard's injury will be a big blow to the German manager, as he is short of cover at left-back and will have to depend on young Australian Brad Smith, who has just made eight appearances for the senior team.

The manager could have called upon Jon Flanagan to replace the former Sevilla star, but the Anfield favourite was not named by the manager in the Europa League squad for the knockout stages, a decision Klopp regrets after the defender made a strong return from injury earlier in the year. Moreno has been a regular fixture this season, due to the injury to Joe Gomez, who started the season as the preferred choice at left-back under former manager Brendan Rodgers. But a cruciate ligament injury in October just before the former Dortmund manager's first game in-charge ruled him out for the rest of the season, leaving the Spaniard as the manager's only option in the left full back position.

James Milner, meanwhile, has returned to the squad and took part in the training session after being forced to miss the first leg due to an illness. The former Manchester City midfielder has been deployed at full back during his career and the manager could opt to use him at right-back and move Nathaniel Clyne to the opposite flank in order to add more experience as they defend a two-goal lead from the clash at Anfield.