Liverpool’s treatment room remains as busy as ever following fresh injuries in the FA Cup defeat against Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed the Reds’ concerns for Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo heading into the international break.
However, there was good news at Old Trafford as Ryan Gravenberch returned to the bench after an ankle problem.
With the returns of Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota looming, there is much more upside potential ahead of the visit of Brighton on 31 March.
Here is the latest update on Liverpool’s injury news and return dates…
Luis Díaz
Following United’s defeat, Klopp revealed that Diaz had suffered a groin problem in the FA Cup quarter-final. He was replaced by Bobby Clark in extra time.
As it stands, he is set to join the Colombian squad for the friendly matches against Spain and Romania in London and Madrid respectively, saving him a long trip to South America.
The team is expected to meet in the capital on Monday.
Potential return date: March 31, match against Brighton
Darwin Nunez
According to his manager, Nunez played 120 minutes in Manchester but suffered a knee injury.
Like Diaz, his national team will remain in Europe for friendlies against the Basque Country in Bilbao and Ivory Coast in Lens, France, with fans waiting for an update on whether he will have to withdraw.
Potential return date: March 31, match against Brighton
İbrahima Konate
French defender Konate was injured during the Europa League trip to Sparta Prague, causing him to miss Liverpool’s last three matches.
Klopp expected him to miss the United cup tie as he awaited his return to training but appeared optimistic his return was imminent.
Potential return date: March 31 against Brighton
Cody Gakpo
After the match, Klopp said that Gakpo came on as a substitute at Old Trafford but suffered a sprained ankle.
The 24-year-old has been named in the Netherlands squad for matches against Scotland and Germany over the next two weeks.
Potential return date: March 31 against Brighton
Trent Alexander-Arnold
A knee ligament injury sustained against Burnley at the beginning of February will keep Alexander-Arnold out for just over two months.
Klopp does not expect the England right-back to be ready at the end of the half-time, but his return is expected “next week”.
Potential return date: April 7, match against Manchester United
Diogo Jota
There were fears that Jota would be sidelined for an extended period of time after he was taken off on a stretcher during the win over Brentford in mid-February.
However, Liverpool hope to see him around the same time as Alexander-Arnold, with a midweek game against Sheffield United on the calendar before the next trip to Old Trafford.
Potential return date: April 7, match against Manchester United
Curtis Jones
Liverpool’s trip to Brentford featured a number of injuries, including Jones, who sprained his ankle in west London.
However, Klopp stated last week that he would have to keep the midfielder at his disposal once the international break ends.
Potential return date: March 31 against Brighton
Alisson Becker
The Reds refused to put a timeframe on Alisson’s return from a hamstring injury that manager Klopp described as “quite serious”.
The German expressed confidence that he will play again this season after the Brazilian goalkeeper discovered the problem in training.
Potential return date: April/May 2024
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago’s brief return to the Liverpool squad in February’s FA Cup win at Arsenal led to another spell on the sidelines.
“There is no timetable,” Klopp later admitted. “Honestly, I don’t know. There are a few things [that] Medically he has to do it now and then I don’t know if that means he can play again. [this season].”
Potential return date: Unknown
Stefan Bajcetic
Ongoing issues with Bajcetic’s injury vulnerability were addressed by Klopp last week; The 19-year-old is now in a “much better place” to deal with the physical stress of playing week in and week out as he begins his “pre-season” training. outside.
“So the moment he feels something, it’s not an injury, it’s intensity,” he explained. “He’s a young lad so we have to make sure we don’t use him before he’s really ready because what happened before was the body wasn’t 100 per cent ready for the intensity that professional football requires.”
Potential return date: April/May 2024
Joel Matip
It seems unlikely that Liverpool will put Matip on the field again.
The centre-back suffered a serious knee injury in December and his contract expires in the summer.
Potential return date: Summer 2024
Ben Doak
Young winger Doak managed to get into many Liverpool cup squads in the first half of the season.
However, his season will likely be over after suffering a knee injury.
Potential return date: Summer 2024