Liverpool are still aiming for four trophies this season, but a growing number of injuries are proving to be a serious challenge.
Manager Jurgen Klopp was already without a number of key first-team players for yesterday's trip to Brentford. His injury headache turned into a migraine as the afternoon progressed, and three more key players were forced off.
Liverpool's injury crisis is currently so serious that we have managed to assemble a whole squad of players who are currently unavailable.
GK: Alison
The Brazilian missed Liverpool's win over Burnley with influenza and then missed the game against Brentford with a minor hamstring problem.
Alisson's injury is not believed to be serious, but it is unclear when he will return. Fortunately for Liverpool, reserve keeper Caoihin Kelleher has hardly put a foot wrong when brought on for their recent win.
Kelleher, the hero of the shootout when Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties two years ago, has already been confirmed to feature in the upcoming rematch at Wembley.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold missed the trip to Brentford with a knee injury, although he returned before a recurrence.
Although it is not believed to be a long-term problem, it has been confirmed that he will be sidelined for at least another week and will not be available for the Carabao Cup final.
Fortunately for the Reds, Conor Bradley has emerged and become a truly great player.
CB: Joel Matip
The long-serving Cameroonian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Fulham in December and it seems highly unlikely he will return to play any role in the training squad.
That means Matip likely played his last game for the club. His contract expires this summer, and there are no plans to extend his contract.
Quiz: Can you name all the African players who represent Liverpool in the Premier League?
CB: Rhys Williams
One area where Liverpool can't complain too much is in the heart of defence.
First-choice duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are fit and available, versatile Joe Gomez is enjoying his best season in years and young Jarrell Quansah is a true believer. It is becoming a viable option.
As a result, Williams' chances of getting any playing time are incredibly slim and he was sent out on loan to Port Vale last month. However, Liverpool recalled him two weeks later and he is back on Merseyside undergoing rehabilitation.
LB: Stefan Bajetic
Gomez spent a significant period as a substitute left-back while Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas spent time in the treatment room, but both players are now back…for now.
In order to make this a full game, he had to get creative somewhere, and in the true spirit of Jurgen Klopp's injury crisis, he introduced a midfielder to cover the full-backs. We all know Vacic isn't actually a left-back, so don't yell at us.
The teenager truly shined during Liverpool's breakout year in a miserable 2022-23 season. But he injured his adductor muscle last March and has since suffered a series of setbacks, missing nearly all games so far this season.
Bajisetic made two cameo appearances in cup matches in September, but has not featured since then. There is no time limit to his recovery, and it remains to be seen whether he will play any role in the run-in.
CM:Curtis Jones
“Curtis suffered a contusion in the lower part of his shin, above his ankle,” Klopp said after the Liverpool midfielder was sent off in the first half against Brentford.
“Let's see what that means. That's what he felt, but he wasn't 100% sure. Curtis not being able to play meant he could play at any cost. But he would have played, so that says something.”
Jones has developed into a key cog in Liverpool's new midfield. Watch this space.
CM: Thiago Alcantara
After what felt like an eternity, Thiago finally returned to the pitch, making a cameo appearance as a substitute in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The experienced Spaniard then suffered another setback with a new hamstring injury, which is likely to keep him out for the foreseeable future. Klopp said he expects Thiago to still have a role to play, but like Matip, his contract expires in the summer and he could likely play his final game for the club. do not have.
Thiago has missed more games due to injury than he has played since signing for Liverpool in 2020.Surprisingly, he I don't Features of this listing:
Read: 10 most injury-prone players in soccer history: Wilshere, Diaby, Ronaldo…
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai
The fan-favorite midfielder was seen as a quality addition to Liverpool's midfield, but was sadly ruled out in the heartbreaking loss to the Emirates – with Szoboszlai absent due to a hamstring problem. It was the first of many matches.
It has been suggested that he will return sooner or later. He could also be in the Carabao Cup final.
FWR: Diogo Jota
“Diogo probably looks the worst. I haven't been able to go back and look at him, but I heard he didn't look good in the pictures either, so I'll have to see him at the scene,” he said after Jota was carried away on a stretcher at Brentford. , said manager Klopp.
The Portuguese filled in admirably for Salah during the Egyptian's absence for the African Cup of Nations (and then injury). Jota made 10 appearances in 2024, scoring five goals and providing four assists, but it looks like Liverpool will have to do without him for the time being.
ST: Darwin Nunes
Darwin, the third player to be sent off against Brentford, did not re-enter in the second half and put Liverpool ahead with a delightfully cheeky chip beforehand.
“Darwin, we took off because he was feeling it a little bit, but obviously today it was enough to hit the brakes right away, so we did that,” Klopp explained.
We hope to be back soon, just taking precautions. Darwin is a player you want to start in the cup final, purely because of his box-office value.
This angle of Darwin Nunez's first half finish🤩 pic.twitter.com/WyKpEBBtDF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2024
FWL: Ben Doak
We had high hopes for Doak to catch fire this season. He featured in Liverpool's opening game against Chelsea and also featured in the Europa League group stage, but was sidelined for the majority of the season.
Liverpool's 'Scottish Messi' recently underwent surgery for a knee injury. He is not scheduled to play again this season.
Read next: Remembering Darwin Nunez's pointless dummy that proved he was the 'Chaos Goth'
Take our quiz: Can you name all the players Jurgen Klopp has signed for Liverpool?
