Bad news as Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones leave Brentford "on crutches"

Despite a comfortable 4-1 win away at Brentford, the headlines coming from the Gtech Community Stadium for Liverpool are all about the first-half injuries suffered by Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones.

The outlook for the pair doesn't look good. Both will certainly miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next Sunday after leaving West London "on crutches".

According to Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle, Jones was seen boarding the team bus "with his left foot in a protective boot", while Jota left the stadium "with his left knee in a brace".

Following the game, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp told TNT Sport (via BBC Sport): "It's mixed emotions because we lost players which we don't know how serious - it doesn't look great for either of them.

"Diogo's looks probably the worst. I didn't see it back but I heard the pictures didn't look great as well."

The Portuguese striker had to be stretchered off after Christian Norgaard fell on his right knee after a three-way clash which also involved Alexis Mac Allister.

This resulted in Mohamed Salah making an earlier-than-expected return to the side from an injury of his own.

As for Jones, the midfielder was replaced in the 33rd minute of the game by Ryan Gravenberch after falling awkwardly in the aftermath of an innocuous-looking challenge which didn't even result in a foul being given.

Nunez "felt something"

The problems don't stop there for the Reds. Striker Darwin Nunez was replaced by Cody Gakpo at half time and Klopp confirmed that this was a precautionary measure after Nunez said he "felt something" during the half-time break.

Nunez's departure from the field came after he had earlier put Liverpool ahead with a superb chipped finish over Brentford's goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

With Liverpool's growing injury list, Klopp emphasised the need to avoid risks, particularly with the impending cup final on the horizon.

"We are not sure if he has something or not. He felt a little bit. We will see. It is not easy for us," Klopp told reporters.

The Uruguayan's recent form has been pivotal for Liverpool, with five goals and two assists in his last seven Premier League outings, making his potential absence a significant blow for Klopp's side.

Luckily for the Reds, again according to Doyle, Nunez left West London "unaided and didn’t appear to be limping".

Growing injury list

Liverpool's injury list has been growing, with key players like goalkeeper Alisson, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold already sidelined, in addition to long-term absentees Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic.

Today's forced substitutions will further add to Klopp's selection woes.

With a midweek Premier League fixture against Luton Town looming ahead of the Carabao Cup final, these updates come as a major blow to the Reds.

However, there was a glimmer of hope on Saturday as Salah scored Liverpool's third goal as he made his return from injury.