Liverpool are bidding to win four trophies in 2023/24 and send off manager Jurgen Klopp in incredible style.
The German manager is leaving his role at the end of the season, meaning the Reds will have extra motivation to go all the way in the Premier League,FA Cup and UEFA Europa League between now and the end of May, having already won the Carabao Cup.
However, a worrying number of injuries in early 2024 has added to a list that was already a little longer than Klopp would have liked. Most recently, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were hurt in the 4-1 league win at Brentford, meaning Mohamed Salah was brought back into action perhaps a little earlier than planned. Salah was then forced to miss the win over Luton Town and the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
With some potentially decisive games in their season coming up, Liverpool and Klopp will hope to have as many injured stars back and ready to play as soon as possible. So, what are the chances of that happening?
The Sporting News looks at the Reds’ main injury absentees, what their problems are, and when they are projected to be back on the field.
MORE: Where does Mohamed Salah rank in the list of all-time Liverpool goalscorers?
Liverpool injury list
These are the players missing for Liverpool due to injury, and when they are projected to return.
Thiago Alcantara
Injury: Muscular
Sustained: February. 4, 2024
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Thiago made his first appearance in 10 months in the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on February 4, but he sustained another muscle issue in his 12 minutes of action.
Jurgen Klopp said it was not a “big, big injury”, but it is unclear when the midfielder will be available again.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Injury: Lateral knee ligament damage
Sustained: February 10, 2024
Projected comeback date: March 2024
Alexander-Arnold has suffered a recurrence of the lateral knee ligament injury he sustained in January during the 3-1 win over Brentford.
Klopp said he will likely miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on February 25, but that the England international would return soon afterwards. As of February 20, he had not returned to team training, and he was not in the squad for the match at Wembley Stadium.
Alisson Becker
Injury: Hamstring damage
Sustained: February 16, 2024
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Alisson suffered a hamstring injury in training in the days leading up to Liverpool’s Premier League match at Brentford.
Klopp said further tests would be required to determine how serious the issue was for the goalkeeper. He offered an update on February 20, stating that Alisson had “a muscle injury where we don’t know exactly how long it takes, but definitely not for foreseeable time coming back”.
Stefan Bajcetic
Injury: Unspecified
Sustained: September 2023
Projected comeback date: Spring 2024
Bajcetic sustained an adductor injury last March that curtailed his breakthrough 2022/23 season, and the young midfielder suffered a setback — the exact nature of which is unclear — in his recovery back in September.
Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders said in January that the teenager’s recovery was on track but that a return before March was unlikely. In late February, Klopp said Bajcetic was “pain free” but had not been given the all-clear to return to team training.
Composure level 💯
Just two minutes after his introduction, a moment Stefan Bajcetic will never forget ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UOK9VGs7lq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2022
Ben Doak
Injury: Lateral meniscus tear (knee)
Sustained: December 2023
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Youngster Doak had surgery on a torn meniscus in December — an injury he suffered during an Under-21 match against Chelsea.
His recovery will have to be managed carefully, so it is unclear when he will return.
Curtis Jones
Injury: “Bone ligament” damage
Sustained: February. 17, 2024
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Jones started the match at Brentford but hurt himself after landing awkwardly in the first half following a challenge from Mathias Jensen. He appeared to have injured his ankle.
Klopp said the midfielder had a “bone ligament issue” and would definitely miss the February 21 league game against Luton Town. He was also not fit for the Carabao Cup final on February 25.
Diogo Jota
Injury: Knee
Sustained: February. 17, 2024
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Jota was also injured in Liverpool’s game at Brentford. The striker collided with teammate Alexis Mac Allister and Christian Norgaard as they all attempted to win a loose ball.
Jota tried to stand but immediately signalled he could not continue, and he was taken off on a stretcher. TNT Sports reported the Portugal international had hurt his knee, and he was pictured walking gingerly near the locker rooms after the second half had started.
Klopp later confirmed the forward would be facing “months” out of action, rather than weeks.
Another setback 😣 I will fight to be back as soon as possible 💪🏻 #YNWA pic.twitter.com/pAyYNkPNXP
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) February 20, 2024
Joel Matip
Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (knee)
Sustained: December 3, 2023
Projected comeback date: August 2024
Matip tore his ACL in Liverpool’s league win over Fulham in December 2023 and had to undergo surgery.
The defender is not likely to play again until the new season starts in August 2024.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Injury: Hamstring
Sustained: January 31, 2024
Comeback date: March 2, 2024
Szoboszlai was injured in the 4-1 league in over Chelsea on January 31, 2024. The midfielder missed Liverpool’s subsequent four league games and the Carabao Cup final on February 25.
Klopp said Szoboszlai had “a chance” of being fit for the match at Wembley Stadium against Chelsea, but he missed the game. However, he made his comeback against Nottingham Forest on March 2 as a substitute.
Darwin Nunez
Injury: Muscle issue (unspecified)
Sustained: February 17, 2024
Comeback date: March 2, 2024
Nunez was substituted at halftime of the 4-1 Premier League win over Brentford. Klopp said the striker was taken off as a precaution after feeling discomfort. Nunez returned to action at Nottingham Forest, scoring the winning goal.
Mohamed Salah
Injury: Muscle issue (suspected hamstring)
Sustained: February 17, 2024
Projected comeback date: March 2024
Salah was rushed back a little early following a hamstring injury that saw him miss the majority of the Africa Cup of Nations. He then felt discomfort after the Brentford game and missed both the league win over Luton Town and the Carabao Cup final. He is not expected to be out long-term, but he is not fit enough to face Forest on March 2.
Ryan Gravenberch
Injury: Ankle ligament damage
Sustained: February 25, 2024
Projected comeback date: Unknown
Gravenberch was caught high on his left foot by Moises Caicedo in the first half of the Carabao Cup final. He was taken off on a stretcher, with Joe Gomez substituted on in his place.
On February 27, Klopp said: “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.”
Wataru Endo
Injury: Knock
Sustained: February 25, 2024
Projected comeback date: March 2, 2024
Endo suffered what Klopp described as “a proper knock” in the Carabao Cup final, but he is expected to be back in action from March 2 after being rested for the FA Cup win over Southampton.
