Latest Liverpool injury news as Jurgen Klopp will hope to have several of his key players back in action after the international break including Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker
Liverpool will be hoping to escape the international break with no fresh injury concerns with the Premier League to resume in exactly one week.
The Reds will host Brighton on Sunday, March 31, though for now the squad is spread across the globe competing for their countries. Positively the latest internationals saw Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo feature for Colombia and the Netherlands respectively whilst Ibrahima Konate has been heavily involved in France training, despite all leaving Merseyside with fitness concerns.
Meanwhile Jurgen Klopp’s mind was briefly taken off the ongoing campaign, as back at camp he was introduced to Sven-Goran Eriksson before witnessing the Liverpool Legends defeat their Ajax counterparts 4-2 at Anfield in their annual charity event.
The boss has been forced to deal with a reduced squad in recent months, however that has not severely impacted the club’s push for Premier League and Europa League glory. Many are expected to return in the weeks following the current break in what will be a major boost for the season’s run-in.
Darwin Nunez
The Uruguayan was arguably in his finest form in Red heading into the international break, scoring four goals and providing two assists in four appearances. It earned him another call-up for Marcelo Bielsa’s team, however, that had to be turned down as the striker suffered a potential hamstring injury against Manchester United last weekend.
He had also been ruled out briefly in February, though Klopp and his medical staff remain hopeful that the issue is not a serious one. It is yet to be known whether Darwin Nunez will be fit in time for the visit of Brighton.
Potential return date: Brighton (H) – March 31
Curtis Jones
Another who was comfortably one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet week-in, week-out, Curtis Jones unexpectedly suffered an awkward landing on his ankle against Brentford in mid-February and has been out of action since.
Thankfully though his progress looks to have been timed perfectly for the return of the Premier League next week with his manager hopeful of involvement in some capacity against the Seagulls. This will hinge on his progress during the break.
Potential return date: Brighton (H) – March 31
Trent Alexander-Arnold
A big miss in recent months has been the creativity of Trent Alexander-Arnold, though between team-mates Conor Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister the team have coped well in the full-back’s absence.
The vice-captain nears a return from the knee injury that has kept him sidelined for the majority of 2024 so far, but still has some work to do. Klopp stated that he did not expect his player back until the second week after the break, which matches up with the away league visit to Manchester United on Sunday, April 7. Making this a tough decision is the fact that three days prior the Reds face Sheffield United at Anfield.
Potential return date: Sheffield United (H) – April 4
Diogo Jota
Also taking a blow against the Bees, the Portuguese attacker came off worse after being landed on by an opponent. The problem was later revealed to be a knee injury and Liverpool have been hopeful of their instinctive finisher’s return ever since.
Like Alexander-Arnold, early April was as much detail as was revealed about Diogo Jota’s return. It means the first couple of fixtures should be too early, though United remains a possibility.
Potential return date: Manchester United (A) – April 7
Alisson Becker
A hamstring issue has prevented Liverpool’s No.1 from standing between the sticks for some big matches since February, however Caoimhin Kelleher has stepped up in his absence.
All has been quiet about an exact return date for the goalkeeper though there evidently is no rush given his importance to the team. Expect an update from Klopp once domestic action is back in full flow.
Potential return date: April
Stefan Bajcetic
Stefan Bajcetic has been an unfortunate absence given his exciting maiden campaign in England. The 19-year-old has been nursing various setbacks over the course of the season but is excitingly closing in on a comeback.
The defensive midfielder has been building up to match fitness, being pictured at the AXA Training Centre this week with a much bigger frame and enhanced leg muscles than the boy that last featured 12 months ago. He is effectively going through his own pre-season before being allowed to rejoin full team training with Klopp and the squad.
Potential return date: April
Thiago Alcantara
That five-minute cameo in February’s defeat to Arsenal may be the only sight of Thiago in what is appearing to be his final campaign on Merseyside, given the 32-year-old’s contract will expire in a matter of months.
It is not confirmed yet if that will be the case, though he faces a race against time to overcome his latest hamstring problem before the end of the campaign.
Potential return date: Unknown
