Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the likes of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez remain “touch and go” to return from the injuries which depleted his options for the Reds’ Carabao Cup final triumph against Chelsea on Sunday.
Klopp will assess several players who missed the extra-time win at Wembley Stadium, including right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and goalkeeper Alisson, and make a team selection little more than 24 hours before Southampton visit Anfield in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.
“We need miracles with a few players,” said Klopp, expressing enthusiasm for a potential parade at the end of the season to celebrate his team’s latest trophy and his departure after nine years in charge.
“Darwin, Mo, Dom, touch and go. We have to see what they can do. When we have all of the players here and I can look in their eyes, I can see who will be ready.”
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Ryan Gravenberch’s ankle ligament injury, which forced the midfielder off during the first half as a result of a challenge by Moises Caicedo, is less serious than Klopp first feared, but the German said Wataru Endo took a “proper knock” during the match and playmaker Thiago Alcantara remains a long-term absentee.
Liverpool injuries update: Klopp ‘positive’
Asked about Stefan Bajcetic’s potential return, Klopp said: “I had lunch and wondered why he isn’t training.
“He’s building fitness but hasn’t had the green light yet. All scans and checks were made and the bone looks good.”
“We need miracles for a few players”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp provides an injury update and confirms midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has suffered ankle ligament damage and will miss their next few games 🔴 PIC.TWITTER.COM/7OUGACIJBR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) FEBRUARY 27, 2024
Both sides hit the post in the final and Chelsea spurned numerous chances towards the end of normal time before Virgil van Dijk headed the 118th-minute winner, with much being made afterwards of the inexperienced players among Liverpool’s team who saw out the contest.
“Of course we could have lost the final – we are not blind,” said Klopp, repeating his familiar call for the home fans to give Liverpool an edge against the fourth-placed team in the second tier.
“It’s a tricky time but somehow positive. One advantage we can have is Anfield.
“The general feeling is positive because we have to play the games. We want to win in any way possible. Now we have to find a way to win the next one.”
Liverpool travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday and Sparta Praha in the first leg of their Uefa Europa League round of 16 tie five days later.
