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Liverpool injury news latest: the matches the Reds' absent stars could miss

Liverpool injury news latest: the matches the Reds' absent stars could miss

Andy Headspeath 23 Feb 2024, 18:00 Last modified: 23 Feb 2024

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders gave an update on the Reds' injury crisis ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Friday.

The Reds were without a full XI of first-team players for the midweek win over Luton Town, while the availability issues are set to continue into a key period of the season.

The absences made Liverpool's stunning second-half comeback against the Hatters all the more impressive, showcasing the academy talent and strength in depth Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal in his final season.

Still, any positive updates on the status of Liverpool's missing men is much appreciated with several big games looming on the horizon.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's showdown at Wembley, Lijnders revealed that at least Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai are close to returns, while the March international break will be a key marker for many of the Reds' other injured stars.

He told reporters: "Dom, Darwin and Mo we have to really see.

"We have two more days, so today's session and tomorrow's session, and then last minute we will check if they can be there [for the Carabao Cup final]. It would be great, to be honest."

Speaking about the rest of the squad's injuries, he added: "Ali, muscle injury, after the international break [in March]. It will take really a [long] time.

"Curtis, it's like high ankle sprain. He will be in and around the international break.

"Trent, lateral ligament. He will be after international break. Jota, medial ligament. He will be after the international break.

"So, after the international break means we're not sure."

Here's a breakdown of the games Liverpool's absentees could miss:

Which games could Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai miss?

© IMAGO - 5th October 2023 Anfield, Liverpool, Merseyside, England Europa League Football, Liverpool versus Union Saint-Gilloise Darwin Nunez of Liverpool with team mate Mohammed Salah of Liverpool before the kick off PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12561762 DavidxBlunsden

The first group of players likely to return; Nunez, Salah and Szoboszlai are all still in with a chance of featuring in Sunday's cup showdown with Chelsea.

However, if not deemed fit enough, they could then, presumably, be involved in the following FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Southampton three days later or the Premier League clash at Nottingham Forest at the start of March.

vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup) 25 Feb
vs Southampton (FA Cup) 28 Feb

Which games could Curtis Jones miss?

© IMAGO - Football - FA Premier League - Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 31, 2024: Liverpool s Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda LIVERPOOL Anfield MERSEYSIDE ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-01-31-Liverpool_Chelsea-17

The next player likely to return as identified by Lijnders is Jones, whose ankle sprain is set to keep him out until around the international break between 18-26 March.

That would mean the homegrown midfielder is at risk of missing as many as seven more matches, including the visit of Manchester City, both Europa League last 16 legs and even the Merseyside Derby which is currently scheduled as the Reds' final game before the hiatus.

vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup) 25 Feb
vs Southampton (FA Cup) 28 Feb
vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 2 March
vs Sparta Prague (Europa League) 7 March
vs Manchester City (Premier League) 10 March
vs Sparta Prague (Europa League) 14 March
vs Everton (Premier League) 17 March

Which games could Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota miss?

© IMAGO - Liverpool, England, 23rd December 2023. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI-2829-0113

Lijnders stressed that the timelines on Alisson, Alexander-Arnold and Jota were still unclear, but all are set to be out beyond the March internationals.

As we wait on more clarity over their progress, what is clear is that they are set to miss at least seven matches and likely several more — with the City, Everton and Europa League games against Sparta Prague all out of the equation.

After returning from the international break, Liverpool face Brighton at home on 31 March and then at least five games across April — which will rise if they progress to the Europa League quarter-finals, scheduled for the 11 and 18 April. Should the Reds beat Southampton in the FA Cup, the number of fixtures will go up again.

As things stand, these are Liverpool's fixtures up until the end of April:

vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup) 25 Feb
vs Southampton (FA Cup) 28 Feb
vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 2 March
vs Sparta Prague (Europa League) 7 March
vs Manchester City (Premier League) 10 March
vs Sparta Prague (Europa League) 14 March
vs Everton (Premier League) 17 March
vs Brighton (Premier League) 31 March
vs Sheffield United (Premier League) 3 April
vs Man Utd (Premier League) 6 April
vs Crystal Palace (Premier League) 13 April
vs Fulham (Premier League) 20 April
vs West Ham (Premier League) 27 April

Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak and Joel Matip are the other currently injured members of the Liverpool first-team squad. However, little is known about their potential return dates at this time with none expected back imminently.