Liverpool injury update: Wataru Endo, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch latest news and return dates
The injury list continues to grow at Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp tries to find a way to navigate the current crisis.
A host of first-team stars missed the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea on Sunday, including Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as Liverpool’s youngsters lifted the trophy after a dramatic win in extra time.
The Reds picked up yet more injury issues though, as Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off and Wataru Endo left Wembley on crutches.
With Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones among those already facing lengthy spells out, Klopp’s squad is incredibly thin ahead of Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash against Southampton.
Here is all the latest Liverpool injury news and return dates...
Wataru Endo
It was a huge effort from Endo to play the full 120 minutes against Chelsea, though he too has now been added to Liverpool’s injury concerns.
The midfielder was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and in a protective boot after taking a blow to his ankle. The Times reported that the Japanese star said he was OK as he walked through the mixed zone, but he is unlikely to feature against Southampton.
Klopp said: "Wataru got a proper knock. There we have to see as well. I wouldn't say it's much improved since Sunday but that's how it is."
Potential return date: March 7 vs Sparta Prague
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian was at Wembley on Sunday for the Carabao Cup win, but was not fit enough to make the squad.
Salah suffered muscle tightness after coming off the bench against Brentford earlier this month, in what was his first match after weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders said in the build-up to the cup final that a late decision would be made over Salah’s fitness, suggesting he is close to returning.
He is unlikely to be risked from the start against Southampton in midweek, but could be included in the squad.
Potential return date: February 28 vs Southampton
Ryan Gravenberch
With Szoboszlai out, Gravenberch got the nod to start in midfield against Chelsea.
However, he was stretchered off inside half an hour after being caught by a late challenge from Moises Caicedo.
Gravenberch took part in the post-match celebrations on crutches, but has avoided serious injury.
"It's a ligament injury, could have been much worse, but bad enough for being ruled out for this game, next game,” Klopp said.
Potential return date: March 2024
Darwin Nunez
Nunez was another Liverpool player to pick up an injury against Brentford, though Klopp suggested after the match that his half-time withdrawal as a precautionary move.
“Darwin, we took off because he felt really a little but that was obviously today enough to immediately push the brake and that’s what we did, so we took him off and brought Cody on and that worked out really well,” the Liverpool said.
Nunez was also in attendance at Wembley, vaulting the advertising hoarding to get on the pitch and celebrate Virgil van Dijk’s winner. Like Salah, he is believed to be close to returning.
Potential return date: February 28 vs Southampton
Dominik Szoboszlai
As was the case with Salah and Nunez, Szoboszlai was in a race to prove his fitness in time to feature in the Carabao Cup final.
The 23-year-old suffered a recurrence of a hamstring issue last month and did not feature at Wembley, though his comments suggested he is not far away from a return.
“I argued a lot with the doctors,” Szoboszlai told Hungarian media. “I feel like I could play, but the diagnosis doesn’t show that. I believe they know better, but that’s how it feels.
“I would play, I told them, my plan is to return as soon as possible pain-free, but taking the risks involved. I would take the slightly bigger risk to play in the final…but [the medical staff] were more careful.
“And I’m also looking to the future: I’d rather play another 20 games than get injured again now.”
Potential return date: February 28 vs Southampton
Diogo Jota
Jota is facing months out after injuring his left knee against Brentford.
Reports in the Portuguese press have suggested that Jota’s involvement at Euro 2024 is not in danger, with Lijnders confirming ahead of the trip to Wembley only that the forward would not return before next month’s international break.
Lijnders said: “Jots, medial ligament. He will be after the international break. After the international break means that we are not sure [of exact timeframe].”
Potential return date: April 2024
Curtis Jones
Jones was on crutches after the match at Brentford that left Liverpool with a flurry of injury problems.
The midfielder has a “high ankle strain” and was ruled out of the cup final. While Jones’ injury is not believed to be as serious as Jota’s, he too may not return until after the international break.
Potential return date: Late March 2024
Alisson Becker
Caoimhin Kelleher starred at Wembley and would likely have started even if Alisson had been available, but the Brazilian was not involved due a muscle injury.
That has kept him out since the defeat to Arsenal at the start of the month, with an absence due to illness during that spell too.
Kelleher is set for an extended run in the side, with Alisson not expected back until later in the season. He will miss the crucial March clash against Manchester City and the trip to Goodison Park a week later.
"Ali, muscle injury, after the international break, it will really take time,” Lijnders said.
Potential return date: April 2024
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The England right-back was in a knee brace as he watched on at Wembley on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold aggravated a knee injury against Burnley, though the club have insisted they did not rush him back into action before he was ready.
Klopp had suggested that Alexander-Arnold could return “maybe a week or two” after the Carabao Cup final, but the injury has proved to be more serious and he too will miss the Premier League showdown with Man City, returning after the international break.
Potential return date: April 2024
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago came off the bench to featured against Arsenal earlier this month, making his first appearance after 10 months on the sidelines with a hip problem.
But he suffered a setback in the match and the midfielder now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines yet again, with it doubtful whether he will play again this season.
“I don’t know, to be honest (if he will play again this season),” Klopp said.“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.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Joel Matip
Matip faces an uncertain future at Liverpool, after rupturing his ACL against Fulham back in December.
The defender, who underwent surgery, is out of contract in the summer and is unlikely to play again this season, though Klopp has made it clear he would be keen for Matip to be handed a new deal.
Potential return date: Summer 2024
Stefan Bajcetic
It has been a hugely frustrating campaign for Bajcetic, who had made just two appearances so far.
Those both came in the space of six days in September and he has not featured since, but he is believed to be closing in on a return to first-team training.
“I had lunch here and saw him training,” Klopp said on Tuesday.
“I sat there and thought: 'Why is he not playing?' He's obviously gaining fitness now, but didn't get the green light yet for team training.
“There is no-one in his building who wants to hold him back so there must be some reasons. He is completely pain-free, all checks have been made, bone looks good.”
Potential return date: Unknown
