While we’re all still in the clouds after Sunday’s dramatic League Cup final victory over Chelsea, Monday will be a bit of a sober reality check. The always-crowded trainers room is still filled with world-class talent.
The Reds found a way to beat Chelsea with a few young players in their squad, but that might not be the healthiest option going forward as the games get more and more competitive.
Let’s take a look at the situation of many players who were absent.
mohamed salah
Salah was injured while away with Egypt at AFCON and made an immediate impact upon his return to the club. He provided a goal and an assist in Brentford’s 4-1 win.
Then he felt something in his muscle again and missed last week’s win at Luton Town. The club was seen taking time to practice. There are still a lot of big matches ahead so he wouldn’t risk it in the League Cup final, but he could return sooner rather than later.
Maybe even against Southampton in the FA Cup in midweek.
ryan graven birch
The Dutchman was extremely unlucky as his first experience in a cup final against Liverpool was brought to an early end by a brutal challenge from Moises Caicedo.
At the post-match celebration, he was carried off on a stretcher, on crutches and wearing boots. He seemed fine though. Jurgen Klopp had a little update on his situation.
”I did an x-ray, so there’s no fracture, but there’s some damage to the ligament, and that’s what it looks like. ”
darwin nunes
Like Salah, Nunez also took part in training last week after being sent off at half-time against Brentford.
He’s also a player that the staff decided was not the right time to risk him, as his game is predicated on pace and power, and he needs to be 100% when he takes the field again. But watching his exuberant celebrations during and after the game, he seemed to be in great spirits.
I expect Darwin to start in midweek as he aims to get the Reds into the next round of the FA Cup. In my opinion, it should take about an hour. If they went the other way and put him in as a super sub for 35 minutes, I wouldn’t be against it.
Dominik Szoboszlai
The Hungarian national team captain had a chance to play in the League Cup final, but he did not fully recover in time.
Like Darwin and Salah, he looks much closer to a return than other currently sidelined players. With Grafenberch out, Szoboschlei could return to midfield at the right time.
I think he’ll start in the FA Cup game in midweek, but he shouldn’t play the full 90 like Darwin. However, he has shown that he is a player who often ends games when he starts. Give him 75 minutes and save it for the weekend.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent was seen wearing a brace on his knee as the team entered Wembley, so his return to action is still a long way off.
There is not much new information to report on Alexander-Arnold as he remains on standby while medical staff recover him. There is no set timetable for his return, but he is inching towards rejoining the fray.
Regarding other players, for example, Alison, Diogo Jota and curtis jones, they will still be out for quite some time. Jones could be the first of that trio to return, but it’s still too early to do so.