Bidding to inflict yet more Wembley misery on Chelsea, Liverpool butt heads with the Blues on Sunday afternoon, when the 2023-24 EFL Cup title is up for grabs.
Jurgen Klopp's crop have defeated Leicester City, Bournemouth, West Ham United and most recently Fulham to reach the showpiece event, edging out the Cottagers 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
The quadruple-chasing Reds also head to London on the back of a 4-1 Premier League triumph over Luton Town on Wednesday, thereby moving four points clear at the top of the table, but their physiotherapists are currently working overtime.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their date with Chelsea, who were beaten on penalties by Klopp's side in the 2021-22 EFL Cup final.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Fatigue
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Chelsea)
After reports from Egypt claimed that Mohamed Salah had suffered a recurrence of his muscular problem against Brentford last weekend, the 31-year-old was nowhere to be seen against Luton. Klopp has clarified that his issue is fatigue related rather than a new injury, but as things stand, the Reds are still sweating over his fitness for the final.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
One attacker who will certainly not step out onto the Wembley soil is Diogo Jota, who sustained a serious knee problem in the first half of the win over Brentford and is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Shin
Possible return date: Unknown
Curtis Jones was the first of three early casualties at the Gtech Community Stadium - his race was run in the 34th minute due to a shin injury - and the midfielder is not expected to make a miraculous recovery in time for the final.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Unspecified
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Chelsea)
After Jones and Jota were replaced, Darwin Nunez had to come off at half time versus Brentford - which was enough to rule him out of the Luton win - and as is the case with Salah, Klopp is waiting with bated breath to learn whether the Uruguayan can play on Sunday.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Alisson Becker hurt his hamstring during Liverpool's final pre-Brentford training session last Friday, and with Brazil boss Dorival Junior hinting that he will spend at least a month recuperating, the Reds will be without their number one stopper for the trip to Wembley.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Trent Alexander-Arnold was taken off at half time in the win over Burnley on February 10 owing to a knee issue, and Klopp has conceded that his vice-captain will also be absent for the EFL Cup trophy match, but a comeback in March should be on the cards.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: Unknown
The hapless Thiago Alcantara waited 10 months to play again following a hip concern, but on his comeback appearance versus Arsenal, the Spaniard tweaked a muscle, and he faces another agonising recovery period.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Ben Doak has made two of his 10 senior appearances for Liverpool in the EFL Cup, but owing to the severe knee injury he suffered while representing the Under-21s last year, the 18-year-old is also on the absent list for the showdown with Chelsea.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Chelsea)
Eagle-eyed Liverpool fans spotted that Dominik Szoboszlai did not travel with his teammates for the loss to Arsenal on February 4, and it was soon revealed that the Hungarian had sustained a hamstring injury, but there is a slim chance that the pain could subside in time for the weekend.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Joel Matip played 91 minutes of Liverpool's EFL Cup final triumph over Chelsea two years ago, but the Cameroonian is currently on the mend from a season-ending ACL injury and will watch on helplessly from the sidelines here.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: Unknown
In early January, Klopp expressed hope that calf victim Stefan Bajcetic would be able to train with the team at some point in February, but the Spanish youngster is not being put through his paces just yet and remains absent for now.
LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Liverpool have no players suspended for the final.
Ben Knapton
