Liverpool injury update ahead of Liverpool FA Cup tie: predicted line-up

Just three days after securing their place in the Europa League quarter finals, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool head straight into another one. Without time to properly digest the 11-2 aggregate win over Sparta Prague, suddenly it’s FA Cup weekend - City and Coventry already through to the next round, and will be joined by either Chelsea or Leicester. Liverpool bring the action to a close this afternoon with arguably the most appetizing tie of the four - against eternal foes Manchester United.

Klopp’s Reds head to Old Trafford giddy from their landslide win in Europe and with the heady glow of sharing leadership, on points, with Arsenal in the Premier League. Considering the injury headaches that the manager has had to contend with since the start of the New Year, along with the absences of Salah and Endo (both snaffled by their respective national teams), the team has done remarkably well adapting.

Klopp’s young guns

The younger players who the German coach drafted in to make up the numbers have not only risen to the occasion but far exceeded all expectations of them. Just a couple of months ago, few had heard of never mind knew much about players like Conor Bradley, Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni, Kaide Gordon or Mateusz Musialowski - some still teenagers, the rest, barely 20.

The energy and enthusiasm that these talented young players (not forgetting Jarell Quansah, who was drafted back in August) have contributed gave Liverpool a fresh impulse - which they needed more than ever with 12 first team players in the sickbay at one point.

Thankfully, the casualty room is gradually clearing out and the team’s results haven’t suffered too much while key stars have been sidelined. Two and a half months into 2024, the only points Liverpool have dropped in the league have been against fellow contenders City and Arsenal.

While the worst of the injury crisis is over, a number of players will miss this afternoon’s showdown with United.  Alisson (hamstring), Ibrahima Konaté (hamstring), Curtis Jones (ankle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee ligament) and Diogo Jota (collateral ligament, knee) are all ruled out for Old Trafford. Ryan Gravenberch returned to full training last week after spending just under three weeks out nursing an ankle injury. He could be given minutes but will likely start on the bench.

Then there are the long-term casualties: Joel Matip and Thiago remain out for the foreseeable future - both players’ contracts are up in June, so we’ll see if they appear before the season is out.

Others are nearing their return. Klopp hopes to have Curtis Jones, Trent and Jota back in the fold after the international break with Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak also expected to return next month. Much needed reinforcements as the season enters its decisive stage and with more silverware up for grabs.