Two key Liverpool players set to miss Carabao Cup final

Liverpool look set to be without two key players for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on 25 February.

The Telegraph reports a huge blow for Liverpool this month. The Reds have the Carabao Cup final coming up against Chelsea but will now likely miss two regular starters for it.

Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai have been carrying injuries but there had been hopes that they'd be okay. Neither were expected to face Brentford this weekend, though there was little suggestion that they'd also miss the final.

Alexander-Arnold has a knee issue, first picked up in the FA Cup win against Arsenal last month and then aggravated in 3-1 victory over Burnley last weekend.

Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has a hamstring problem that's been bothering him since the New Year's Day clash with Newcastle United.

Those injuries now appear set take the pair out of contention for the cup final.

While Alexander-Arnold is reported to be definitively 'out', there is a slight slither of hope for Szoboszlai who is still only described as a 'serious doubt'.

Speaking on the Hungarian's issue last week Jurgen Klopp said: “If you ask him, he plays the final definitely.

“But I don’t know. He will see. He is running outside. Some players I see running outside and I think, ‘Ok, they are back and then it can still take a while’. We have to see.”

Alexander-Arnold is not expected to be fit again until March.

Fortunately, Liverpool do have cover. Alexander-Arnold will almost certainly be replaced by Conor Bradley, who has missed the last couple of games through compassionate leave.

But the youngster's efforts against Chelsea at Anfield were incredible and he's in now in line to face them once again. This time, though, he'll do it in the biggest game of his career so far.

As for Szoboszlai, Liverpool have plenty of midfielders available. Three of Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch will likely start in the middle.

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson's recent return to fitness has provided a boost to the team, while Mohamed Salah should also be ready by the time Liverpool head to Wembley.

Klopp will still have a strong enough squad to pick from. The issue is that it won't be the absolute strongest he can call on, with two of the Reds' most creative players in Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai missing.