Liverpool injury news and expected return dates with Salah update and star back
There will have been a bit of soul searching around Anfield after Liverpool suffered their first defeat of 2024, but there are some positive signs when it comes to the players who missed their reverse at Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp was without a number of first-teamers for the trip to North London, and it showed. Liverpool were fortunate to go in level at half-time, and only fleetingly threatened David Raya's goal in their 3-1 defeat.
Liverpool are still top of the Premier League table, but Arsenal closed the gap to two points with the win. Manchester City did the same on Monday, and victory in their game in hand would be enough to take Pep Guardiola's team top.
Mohamed Salah was the highest-profile absentee on Sunday, and he's among the players Klopp will hope to have back sooner rather than later. Here, Mirror Football looks at the latest on some of the big names who weren't involved at the Emirates Stadium.
Mohamed Salah
Salah has been out of action since picking up an injury on Egypt duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. His tournament ended early, and any hopes of a return for the final were dashed when the Pharaohs lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
The AFCON final takes place this weekend, and Salah's recovery at club level may indicate whether he would have been fit to participate. However, his agent Ramy Abbas Issa had previously suggested a mid-February return date.
Salah has been back in the gym as he works on his recovery. The former Roma star has shared some images on social media, and Liverpool fans will hope that's a sign he's back soon. Return date: mid-February.
Which injured star have Liverpool missed the most? Have your say in the comments section
Mohamed Salah has provided updates from the gym
Salah has not featured since picking up an injury on AFCON duty
Dominik Szoboszlai
Midfielder Szoboszlai has been an impressive addition since joining from RB Leipzig, and was sorely missed on Sunday. The Hungarian had scored against Chelsea in the previous game, but now faces a while out.
According to reports in his homeland, Szoboszlai will miss seven or eight matches with his latest setback. This means he'll be unavailable for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at the end of the month.
“Dom felt in the same area, or pretty much a similar area, to where he was injured before," Klopp said when explaining the midfielder's Arsenal absence. “Not in the game [against Chelsea], he was fine, and then after the game [he felt it] slightly so we had a look at it and there was now no chance for him to be involved in this game. Return date: Mid-late March
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate will serve a one-match ban after his red card at Arsenal (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Konate's absence is a little more straightforward. The centre-back was sent off late on against Arsenal for two yellow cards, which means a one-match suspension.
"This referee gave me a red card against Man City for wrestling situation between Bernardo Silva and Mo Salah. Today same situation with Jota but didn't get a red card," Klopp said after the Arsenal reverse.
"It is unbelievable, then the of holding Havertz on Konate for the first yellow card. Then Havertz goes down and the referee gives Konate a yellow card. Gabriel does the same to Nunez and no yellow card." Return date: February 17
Liverpool transfer window winners & losers as £37m spent on Klopp's "great day"
Kostas Tsimikas
Tsimikas hasn't featured for Liverpool since the December meeting with Arsenal, when he was forced off in the first half after an incident involving Bukayo Saka. However, after suffering a broken collarbone in the clash, he returned to full training before the Arsenal game and could be involved against Burnley this weekend.
Kostas Tsimikas could return this weekend after six weeks out (Getty Images)"Kosti is close," Klopp explained. "Kosti is actually fit, Kosti just has to wait now for the green light because the bone healing takes much longer, but the plate is doing the job in the moment.” Return date: February 10.
Stefan Bajcetic
Bajcetic made a brief return from injury in September, after missing the tail end of last season, but only managed two appearances. Liverpool have been reluctant to rush the youngster back, and there is no new information regarding his next return. Return date: unknown.
Joel Matip
Centre-back Matip was a regular presence in the first half of the season, only to suffer an ACL injury in the win over Fulham in December. With the Cameroon international out of contract in the summer, it may be the case that he has played his final game for Liverpool, though manager Klopp wasn't so certain.
Joel Matip is not expected to play again this season (PA)"I'm pretty sure the club will show their class, just as they should," Klopp said in December. "I'm pretty sure they have told Joel already whatever happens, as long as he's injured everything's fine, and now we have to make a decision with Joel how it looks after that.
"That's a normal thing to do but he deserves all the support from us, and he will get it. I would say so [that he deserves a new deal], but it's not my decision. I cannot sign the papers." Return date: unknown .
Ben Doak
Young talent Doak made his Liverpool debut last season and has featured five times this term. He started three times in the Europa League group stage, but hasn't featured since the defeat at Union SG in December.
The teenager's injury will see him sidelined for some time, with assistant manager Pep Lijnders explaining the situation. "That’s not a good one. He tore his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery," Lijnders said.
Ben Doak faces a long spell on the sidelines (Getty Images)“That one will take (a) longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. We will wait for him.” Return date: unknown .
Wataru Endo
One player who will be available for Liverpool this weekend is Wataru Endo. The Japanese international has been away with his country at the Asian Cup, but they suffered a quarter-final elimination at the hands of Iran.
Endo, who hasn't featured for his club since New Year's Day, wasn't back in time for the match on Sunday. However, he returned to training on Monday and will be in contention to face Burnley. Return date: February 10 .
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
