PREMIER LEAGUE
Jurgen Klopp issues Mohamed Salah injury update
The Egyptian forward missed out on Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final victory but could be back to take on Southampton in the FA Cup.
Liverpool wrapped up their first piece of silverware of the season last weekend. An injury-struck team beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final to ensure that Jurgen Klopp does not end final season on Merseyside empty-handed.
But the Liverpool boss will be targeting far more than the Carabao Cup and his side are back in action in the FA Cup on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Klopp revealed that a number of key players could return from injuries in time to feature against Southampton on Wednesday.
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Klopp said: “It’s touch and go with a lot of players, still with the boys who [were] not available for the final – like Darwin [Nunez], Mo [Salah], Dom [Szoboszlai]. We have to see what they can do today.”
“Wataru [Endo] got a proper knock as well. There we have to see as well. I wouldn’t say it’s much improved since Sunday but that’s how it is.”
Nunez, Salah, Szoboszlai and Endo would likely all feature from the start if the Liverpool medical team deems them fit enough.
Liverpool “need miracles” with Gravenberch, Thiago
The Reds are starting to regain a few of their injured stars ahead of the crucial run-in period. But there are still plenty of players on the Anfield treatment table, such as Ryan Gravenberch.
The Dutch midfielder started in the Carabao Cup final but was stretchered off in the first half. Klopp has since confirmed that Gravenberch will not feature against Southampton and may need a few weeks to recover.
“What I know is that Ryan is not available, besides all the others who are not available,” Klopp explained. “It’s a ligament injury, could have been much worse, but bad enough for being ruled out for this game, next game. We will see. So, we need miracles with a few players, so that’s why I don’t want to rule out for too long.”
Likewise fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara is out of action after suffering a reoccurrence of a hip issue that had kept him out for most of the season. Klopp is not expecting an imminent return for the Spaniard.
“I don’t know, to be honest,” said Klopp, when asked if Thiago would play again this season. “It’s a couple of things but what he has to do now from a medical point of view and I don’t know if it will mean again if he can play again. It’s not a short-term thing and that’s why I’m not 100% in it. I’m not sure if it’s the same but the region is the same.”