Jurgen Klopp Explains Darwin Nunez and Salah’s Absence, Discusses Chances for Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final

Liverpool could seal their first silverware of the 2023-24 season on Sunday (Feb 25) when they take on Chelsea in the League Cup final at the Wembley Stadium. Jurgen Klopp’s side, currently on a fine run of form could land an unlikely quadruple this season as they go strong in all four competitions. However, the Reds gaffer will have some planning to do if he misses out on the services of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah for the big game. On Wednesday after Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Luton, Klopp explained why the duo was absent and reflected on the chances they could have to feature in Sunday’s final.

Klopp explains Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah’s absence

“They couldn’t have played tonight,” he told Sky Sports’ Juliette Ferrington.

“From here we will see who will be back for Sunday, but that is not important at the moment.”

The Reds are currently struggling with injuries, but have still managed to keep pace at the top of the Premier League standings. Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Luton saw them open a four-point gap at the top of the standings while they won’t be in Premier League action this weekend.

Salah scored in the 4-1 win over Brentford on the weekend but was not selected due to education while Nunez was withdrawn at halftime. The duo will be important for Klopp in Sunday’s final if they manage to make the squad.

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As things stand, apart from Nunez and Salah Liverpool’s injury list consists of – Alisson (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Thiago (hamstring), Curtis Jones (ankle), and Diogo Jota (knee). They all are ruled out of the Sunday clash against Chelsea while Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) could be the only player who could come into the squad if he manages to shrug off the injury issue.

The likes of Joel Matip (ACL), Stefan Bajcetic (growing pains) and Ben Doak (MCL) are on the treatment table as they are long-term absentees with a remote chance of making the squad at the end of the season.

Liverpool Face Player Health Challenge Amid European, Premier League, and FA Cup Demands

In the coming days, player health will be a key factor for the Reds as they will continue their European adventure in the Europa League in March while Premier League and FA Cup commitments will also see the litmus test of the Liverpool bench. The only relief for Klopp’s men will be the League Cup which concludes this coming weekend.

If the Reds manage to pull off the win on Sunday in the absence of the star players it will be a remarkable achievement.

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