Liverpool have been handed three new injury concerns going into the March international break after their 4-3 defeat against Manchester United
Liverpool have been handed three fresh injury concerns after Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo suffered potential issues in the 4-3 defeat to Manchester United.
The Reds’ quest for a quadruple came to an agonising end on Sunday as Amad’s late extra-time winner put an end to hopes of sending Jurgen Klopp off with a clean sweep of trophies.
Liverpool’s stars now jet off worldwide for their respective countries’ matches as the Premier League goes on hold for two weeks. Klopp’s side will be forced to lick their wounds after twice being within touching distance of the FA Cup semi-final.
Top-flight action resumes at the end of March and Liverpool will have a chance to move top of the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Luis Diaz
Injury: Groin
Luis Diaz managed 114 minutes before he was replaced by Bobby Clark during Sunday’s 4-3 defeat in the FA Cup quarter-final.
The Colombian was a threat down the left but didn’t manage to provide an assist or get on the scoresheet. Diaz will meet up with his international teammates ahead of friendlies against Spain and Romania.
He will continue training in England with Colombia set to take on Spain at Wembley Stadium. However, Klopp revealed that he was sacrificed in the latter stages of extra time with a groin issue.
“Now the boys go on international duty, we hope they come back healthy,” said Klopp. “Lucho [Diaz] felt his groin, Darwin hamstring. Cody twisted his ankle. They play again in four or five days, it’s crazy.
“Hopefully we will finish the season in style. I really feel for our people.”
Darwin Nunez
Injury: Hamstring.
Darwin Nunez only recently returned from the muscle injury which kept him out of the Carabao Cup final. Jurgen Klopp revealed that the forward felt a twinge in his hamstring but managed to see out the entirety of the match at Old Trafford.
Cody Gakpo
Injury: Ankle
Cody Gakpo failed to make a telling impression after being Mohamed Salah’s replacement after 77 minutes. The Dutchman came in for criticism from both Jamie Carragher and ITV pundit Ian Wright following his cameo during the quarter-final defeat.
However, in the dying embers the attacker looked in discomfort after winning a corner but going down under the challenge from Diogo Dalot.
Klopp confirmed that the 24-year-old had twisted his ankle.
Holland play Scotland and Germany in the next nine days but he faces an important couple of days to be involved in Ronald Koeman’s side, if his problem is severe.
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Muscle
It was touch-and-go for Ibrahima Konate in the build-up to Sunday’s FA Cup showdown but the Frenchman didn’t manage to pass a fitness test to play any involvement.
Jarell Quansah partnered Virgil van Dijk but it remains to be seen how problematic the muscle injury is for the defender. Jurgen Klopp has taken aim at France national team manager Didier Deschamps in the past for his use of the centre-back and now there are question marks over whether he will feature in their upcoming friendlies.
On Friday, Klopp said: “Ibou didn’t train today. We have to see if he can train tomorrow but it will be a tight, tight race which we probably lose, but we don’t know.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Injury: Knee.
Possible return date: Sheffield United – April 4.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the next two Liverpool matches after aggravating a knee injury against Burnley at the beginning of February.
The first game back after the March international break against Brighton & Hove Albion had been earmarked for his return, but Klopp confirmed on Friday that the England star could return a week after the resumption of top-flight action.
“Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance,” the German said.
Curtis Jones
Injury: Ankle injury.
Possible return date: Brighton & Hove Albion – March 31.
Unlike Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones could return after the international break after suffering an ankle injury during the 4-1 win over Brentford last month.
“Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance,” Klopp said.
Alisson Becker
Injury: Hamstring.
Possible return date: Early April.
Caoimhin Kelleher will resume as Liverpool’s number one in the absence of Alisson Becker. The Brazilian shot-stopper is recovering from the hamstring injury which he suffered on the eve of the Reds’ 4-1 win over Brentford.
