Liverpool left it late to claim a memorable victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend.
Darwin Nunez scored in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time to secure a 1-0 win for the Reds at the City Ground. Liverpool will now look ahead to their top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester City at Anfield this Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to be without several of his key players for the game against Forest. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara were all unavailable.
The game did see several other players make their return from their respective injuries. Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson (illness) all played a role in the win on Saturday.
With another big week ahead for Liverpool, Klopp will be hoping that the club’s injury list is beginning to ease with Sparta Prague in the Europa League last-16 first leg awaiting on Thursday.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has now missed Liverpool’s last three matches with a muscle injury, having made a brief cameo against Brentford on February 17.
Salah was not involved in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday but is edging closer to a return. Klopp will provide an update on Wednesday as to whether the Egyptian will be part of the squad for the clash against Sparta Prague.
Expected return date: Sparta Prague (A) – March 7 or Man City (H) – March 10.
Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker faces a continued absence from the Liverpool matchday squad through injury.
The Brazilian has not played for the Reds since February 4 having initially missed a game through illness, before suffering a hamstring injury. Alisson is not expected to return until after the March international break, and it remains to be seen when he will be available again.
Expected return date: April/May.
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota is continuing his recovery from a knee injury he sustained against Brentford on February 17.
The Portugal international left the game on a stretcher and was later confirmed to have suffered an MCL injury. No exact timeframe has been placed on when Jota will return, but it’s not expected to be until after the international break at the earliest.
Expected return date: Unknown.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is continuing his recovery from a knee injury that has been giving him trouble since the turn of the year.
Alexander-Arnold has not played for the Reds since being substituted at half-time against Burnley on February 10. He was seen wearing a leg brace during the Carabao Cup final celebrations and is not expected to return until after the March international break.
Expected return date: Late March/early April
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones also suffered an injury during the win over Brentford on February 17, injuring his ankle in the first half.
He has now missed the Reds’ last three matches and is not expected to return before the international break. As a result, Jones is likely to miss the games against Sparta Prague and Manchester City.
Expected return date: Late March/early April
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch suffered an ankle injury during the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea on February 25.
The midfielder left the game on a stretcher, but Klopp confirmed days after the game that the injury was not as bad as first feared. However, no timeframe has been given on when Liverpool expected Gravenberch to return to the matchday squad.
Expected return date: Unknown
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara is recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained during a cameo against Arsenal on February 4.
The Spaniard had been sidelined for nine months through injury before the game against Arsenal. No timeframe has been given for when Liverpool expects Thiago to be back available, with the midfielder’s contract set to expire in the summer.
Expected return date: Unknown
Joel Matip
Joel Matip suffered an ACL injury in the 4-3 win over Fulham on December 3 and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Matip’s contract is also due to run out this summer, as speculation remains about the centre-back’s future. It remains to be seen if Matip will ever make another appearance for Liverpool.
Expected return date: Unknown
Stefan Bajcetic
Stefan Bajcetic has been struggling with injuries for the past 12 months after earning his first-team breakthrough last season.
The midfielder has been sidelined since September having made appearances in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. Bajcetic is nearing a return to action, but Klopp has not stated when he can expect to have the midfielder back available once again.
Expected return date: Unknown
Ben Doak
Ben Doak is currently recovering from a knee injury he sustained while playing for the Under-21s in December.
There had been plenty of hype around the talent and potential Doak has in store for Liverpool this season. However, it remains uncertain if the 18-year-old will return to the pitch before the end of the campaign as he continues his recovery.
Expected return date: Unknown
