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.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain down injured on December 22, 2019 © 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.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri during the warm up before the match in November 2019 © 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.

Dejan Lovren

Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Napoli in the Champions League on November 27, 2019. © 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".

Fabinho

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.

Joel Matip

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.

Nathaniel Clyne

Liverpool full-back Nathaniel Clyne in action for his side during their pre-season win over Manchester City in New Jersey © 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.