Key Liverpool duo out of Carabao Cup final as injury crisis grows

Liverpool will have to do without Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones in Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, with both players' injuries serious enough to rule them out of contention.

The pair had to be withdrawn in the first half of the Reds' Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Jota was stretchered off just before half time 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 a result, he, too, aggravated his injury and he's set to miss the Luton game this Wednesday night.

Jones, meanwhile, limped off the field of play in the 33rd minute after falling awkwardly in the aftermath of an innocuous-looking challenge which didn't even result in a foul being given.

According to various reports, including Chris Bascombe in the Telegraph, both Jota and Jones are now certain to miss the Carabao Cup final on Sunday having undergone scans "in the last 24 hours".

Timescale unknown

The same report suggests that the club's medical staff are currently awaiting additional tests to ascertain the extent of rehabilitation needed for the injured duo.

Initially, there were serious concerns about Jota's knee injury. However, credible reports from Portugal suggest that the forward could be sidelined for a period ranging between six to eight weeks.

While this news presents a setback for both the player and the club, especially considering the timing and Jota's recent form, the diagnosis offers a glimmer of optimism compared to initial apprehensions surrounding potentially serious ligament damage.

Liverpool's injury list

With Alisson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold already joining long-term absentees Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, Liverpool's medical department have their hands full at present, leaving Jurgen Klopp with fewer and fewer options ahead of the crucial upcoming games.

Darwin Nunez has also joined Mohamed Salah as another possible doubt for the showpiece final on Sunday. He was taken off at the break during the Brentford game after he "felt something".

Wednesday's game with Luton will give fans a glimpse of what the starting line-up at Wembley could look like.

Though Salah and Nunez's official statuses are as yet unknown, Klopp has previously stated there is a small chance that Szoboszlai could return in time for the final. Alisson, meanwhile, was always set to be left out of the starting XI against Chelsea, with Caoimhin Kellher the Reds' first-choice Carabao Cup keeper.