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. 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: April 2024
Alexander-Arnold has suffered a recurrence of the lateral knee ligament injury he sustained in January during the 3-1 win over Brentford.
He missed the Carabao Cup final and the 1-1 draw with title rivals Manchester City. The home game against Brighton after the March international break is expected to come too soon for Alexander-Arnold but he could return in either of the Premier League games against Sheffield United (April 4) and Manchester United (April 7) later that week.
Getty Images
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: April 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 mid-March, Klopp Klopp said Bajcetic was effectively “in his pre-season” a could rejoin the squad after the international break.
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: March 31
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.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup quarterfinal at Manchester United, the Liverpool boss said Jones could return for the game against Brighton on March 31 after the international break.
Diogo Jota
Injury: Knee
Sustained: February. 17, 2024
Projected comeback date: April 2024
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. At present, he is on the same recovery trajectory as Alexander Arnold.
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.
Ryan Gravenberch
Injury: Ankle ligament damage
Sustained: February 25, 2024
Projected comeback date: March 17
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.”
The Dutch midfielder returned to training ahead of the Europa League thrashing of Sparta Prague and is in contention to return for the FA Cup quarterfinal trip to Manchester United.
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Muscular injury
Sustained: March 7, 2024
Projected comeback date: March 31
Konate limped out of the first leg of Liverpool’s Europa League with Sparta Prague, leaving the defence short-staffed as they battled to a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
“Ibou didn’t train today,” Klopp said ahead of the FA Cup tie at Manchester United. “It will be a tight race (for Sunday) that we will probably lose.”
It means Konate is likely to return to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back versus Brighton when Premier League action resumes.