On the other hand, Ward's return will threaten Teixeira's chances of making the Europa League squad for the round of 32 onwards. The squad list is to be submitted by the end of the month, with 3 new registrations permitted. Ward can still play for us despite having appeared for Aberdeen in the playoff rounds before the group stage.
With Flanagan's gradual return from his injury, I'm pretty sure he'll be one of the new players selected as he'll add experience and better quality as a backup to both full back spots (over the likes of Randall and Smith). He takes up a spot in List A as a club-trained player - a spot which we left vacant this season. That leaves 2 places freed up by the scratching of Gomez and Ings from the list.
If Flanagan is in, then Ward, Ilori and Teixeira will contest the remaining 2 places, together with whoever joins between now and end-January and who is still eligible to represent the club in the tournament. Ilori (or a new eligible CB) has an edge as our CBs have been dropping like flies and we could want the additional cover, as we could restart the tournament with Skrtel still out and Sakho a potential casualty anytime. Well, unless Klopp's really comfortable with Lucas as a CB.
So two down one to go, and that then leaves Ward vs Teixeira. If Klopp's really lost confidence in Bogdan, then Teixeira could yet be cursing his luck again unless one of the senior midfielders were to go down to a long-term injury, or unless Klopp decides that he'll accept the goalkeeping situation and go with an additional attacking player.
