Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota set to miss Carabao Cup final after fresh injury blows

Liverpool suffered two injury setbacks ahead of the Carabao Cup final next Sunday, as both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota had to be withdrawn in the first half of their Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Jones limped off the field of play at the Gtech Community Stadium after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury.

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.

Jota's injury, meanwhile, just before half time, looked much more serious.

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.

A growing injury list

Jones and Jota's withdrawal will be a cause for great concern for Liverpool as they continue their pursuit of silverware on four fronts.

With Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander-Arnold out with injuries, the options available to Jurgen Klopp in the engine room in particular are starting to run thin.

Following the game in West London, both Jones and Jota will undergo tests to determine the severity of their injuries before any timeframe can be placed on their recovery.

In any case, it now seems that neither will be available for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next Sunday.