The injury crisis at Liverpool continues to get worse before it gets better.
Despite the youngsters impressing once again for the FA Cup win over Southampton, Jurgen Klopp named Andrew Robertson as the latest fitness worry for his team.
The Reds had hoped to welcome back Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo from injury for Wednesday’s match at Anfield.
Yet they remained on what is now a huge 14-man absentee list ahead of Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
Here is your latest update of Liverpool injuries and return dates…
Mohamed Salah
Klopp said before the Southampton game that it was “touch and go” for those who had narrowly missed out on playing in the final.
Among those is Salah, who has now missed three games with a muscle issue having so far only played 46 minutes since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
That tournament was ended early due to a hamstring injury and it remains to be seen when he will be ready to play next.
Both Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister suffered from illness in the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final win, Klopp revealed before Wednesday’s match.
While Mac Allister returned to training the day before the game, and event
ually came on as a substitute, Robertson was absent from the squad.
He is therefore a doubt to face Forest on the weekend.
Potential return date: March 2, vs Nottingham Forest
Darwin Nunez
Fans who witnessed Nunez enthusiastically running onto the pitch to celebrate the victory over Chelsea could not have been blamed for thinking he was near a return to playing action.
Still missing against Southampton, he was initially taken off during the win over Brentford as a “precaution” and may well be ready for Saturday’s trip to the east Midlands.
Potential return date: March 2, vs Nottingham Forest
Dominik Szoboszlai
A persistent hamstring injury has stunted Szoboszlai’s playing time since the turn of the year.
The 23-year-old came off in the New Year’s Day win over Newcastle before his return at the end of January only lasted two games before the issue struck again.
Klopp rated his chances of returning soon as reasonably high, but Liverpool will likely be extra cautious given the nature of his issue.
Potential return date: March 2024
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Reds have ruled Alexander-Arnold out until the international break at the end of March after he suffered a recurrence of a knee injury in the recent win over Burnley.
An initial prognosis of two weeks has been lengthened after further tests on the England right-back.
Potential return date: April 2024
Wataru Endo
Japan midfielder Endo suffered a “proper knock” in the cup final and failed to improve much before the Southampton game, according to Klopp.
Pictured on crutches and wearing a protective boot at Wembley, he therefore sat out the midweek win and is a doubt to face Forest.
Potential return date: March 2024
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool fans were furious when Moises Caicedo’s challenge on Gravenberch went unpunished at Wembley, with the Dutchman still feeling the after-effects.
Klopp confirmed earlier this week that he will miss the trip to Nottingham with ligament damage and the manager simply said “we’ll see” for the following games.
Potential return date: March/April 2024
Alisson Becker
Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders last week described a muscle injury suffered by goalkeeper Alisson as one that will “really take time” to heal.
The Brazilian is out of action until the international break, at least.
Potential return date: April 2024
Diogo Jota
Medial ligament damage suffered to Jota’s left knee in the win at Brentford will keep him out for several weeks.
The club have admitted that they do not know how long he will be out, with the international break his current marker.
Potential return date: Unknown
Curtis Jones
Liverpool may have strolled to a convincing 4-1 victory at Brentford earlier this month but it was not a match without its costs, with Jones also ruled out as a result of an injury picked up in west London.
An ankle sprain has ruled him out until after the international break, which the Reds come out of to play Brighton on March 31.
Potential return date: April 2024
Joel Matip
Matip’s Liverpool career may be over after he underwent surgery on a serious knee injury at the end of 2023.
With his contract up in the summer, he is not expected to play again this season.
Potential return date: Summer 2024
JOEL MATIP’S SEASON IS OVER
Thiago Alcantara
Like Matip, Anfield may have seen the last of Thiago following news that his latest injury could draw an early end to his final campaign on Merseyside.
Klopp recently revealed: “It’s a couple of things but what he has to do now from a medical point of view and I don’t know if it will mean again if he can play again. It’s not a short-term thing and that’s why I’m not 100 per cent in it. I’m not sure if it’s the same but the region is the same.”
Potential return date: Summer 2024
Stefan Bajcetic
Klopp has recently admitted his bafflement at the injury which has kept Bajcetic on the sidelines for the bulk of the season.
The 19-year-old has suffered from problems related to his growing pains for many months, prompting the manager to proclaim this week: “There is no-one in his building who wants to hold him back so there must be some reasons. He is completely pain-free, all checks have been made, bone looks good.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Ben Doak
Young winger Doak injured his knee in December, which will likely keep him out for the rest of the campaign after surgery.
Potential return date: Summer 2024
