Liverpool injuries pile up as Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez come off at Brentford – Sky Sports
Football
Liverpool’s list of absentees is piling up after Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were taken off injured in Saturday’s win at Brentford ahead of next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea; Liverpool also face Luton on Wednesday with potentially nine players missing
Sunday 18 February 2024 15:28, UK
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Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool “have problems” after they suffered a potential triple injury blow in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Brentford ahead of a crucial run of games.
The Premier League leaders saw Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez taken off injured at Brentford ahead of next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Liverpool also face Luton on Wednesday in the league and then have games against Man City and Everton in the next month with an injury list that is now up to nine.
Jones (ankle) left Brentford’s stadium on crutches, but Jota’s injury (knee) appears to be the biggest cause for concern. The decision to take Nunez off at the break was more of a precaution.
“We have to see how much it costs us. We don’t know yet,” said Klopp, who lost Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szobszlai and Alisson to injury in the past week.
“Curtis Jones got a knock above his ankle. He wasn’t 100 per cent sure what it was. The fact Curtis could not play on tells you something because he would have played on at all costs.
“Diogo Jota looks the worst. I didn’t see it back but I heard the pictures [of the incident] didn’t look great. We have to see there.
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“Darwin Nunez we took off because he said he felt something very little.”
Klopp added: “You can count the games coming up so it would be helpful if we had more than one per position. We have problems we don’t know how big they are. As long as we have 11 players we will go for it.”
Klopp refused to lose sight of the visit of Luton up next despite that chance to win the first silverware of the season next Sunday.
“We cannot think about the final, we have to think about Luton,” he said. “Luton deserve all of our focus and attention then we will look to final. After that, we will see how we can play the next game.”
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Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:
Liverpool could have up to nine absentees ahead of next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. Games against Manchester City and Everton follow soon after. Jurgen Klopp says he has problems ahead of a crunch period of the season as his side fight on four fronts.
The Premier League leaders definitely showed no sign of that in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Brentford. Mohamed Salah stole the show on his return as he delivered a goal and an assist off the bench. Cody Gakpo, another substitute, produced the same feat.
Few teams could lose their biggest threats, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, and step up their performance. Klopp has a point, losing depth at this vital stage is potentially damaging, but he has a uniquely stacked array of forwards to cope with such an eventuality.
Liverpool managed to average three goals per game in the four matches Salah missed through injury and with Nunez unlikely to be out for long, there is no reason the forwards can’t step up again without Jota. Liverpool guarantee goals, whoever is playing.
Liverpool vs Luton – Premier League – February 21
Chelsea vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup final – February 25
Liverpool vs Southampton – FA Cup fifth round – February 28
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool – Premier League – March 2
Liverpool vs Man City – Premier League – March 10
Everton vs Liverpool – Premier League – March 17
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