Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan Bajcetic - Liverpool injury news and return dates
Liverpool take on Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday but they could be without Ibrahima Konate
Ryan Gravenberch is in contention to return for Liverpool for their FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United but Ibrahima Konate faces a battle to be fit.
The Reds afforded minutes to Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai in their midweek Europa League rout over Sparta Prague. Both Salah and Szoboszlai were on target, with the Egyptian also providing three assists, while Cody Gakpo got a much-needed brace in the 6-1 rout.
Bobby Clark became the latest injury concern after he limped off against the Czech side midway through the second half. However, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that his issue isn't as bad as first feared amid the hefty list of casualties.
READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate injury latest as Jurgen Klopp confirms three players close to Liverpool return
Man United pose the final challenge before the March international break with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk scheduled to join up with their teammates. Salah will not join up with Hossam Hassan's Egypt squad after a request from Liverpool following fears over aggravating the muscle injury that ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final.
A win over Erik ten Hag's side will book another trip to Wembley, following last month's League Cup triumph over Chelsea.
Ryan Gravenberch
Injury: Anke Ligament
Possible return date: Manchester United (FA Cup) - March 17
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch was ready to return to first-team action after being stretchered off during the Carabao Cup final.
The Dutchman suffered an ankle ligament injury following a rash challenge from Moises Caicedo during the first half at Wembley. Gravenberch returned to training for the Sparta preparations and could mark his return with an outing against the Red Devils.
"Ryan trained today again so is ready as well. And some of the others (will be back) after the international break," Klopp said.
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Muscle
Possible return date: Brighton & Hove Albion - March 31
Ibrahima Konate is losing the race to be fit to face Manchester United on Sunday. The Frenchman withdrew in the opening minutes of the second half of the Europa League first-leg and was forced to miss the 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League title showdown.
Initially, Konate was sacrificed as a precaution but could miss a third consecutive game as Liverpool chase more silverware. Klopp said: "Ibou didn't train today. We have to see if he can train tomorrow but it will be a tight, tight race which we probably lose, but we don't know."
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Injury: Knee
Possible return date: Sheffield United - April 4
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the next two Liverpool matches after aggravating a knee injury against Burnley at the beginning of February.
The first game back after the March international break against Brighton & Hove Albion had been earmarked for his return, but Klopp confirmed on Friday that the England star could return a week after the resumption of top-flight action.
"Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance," the German said.
Curtis Jones
Injury: Ankle injury
Possible return date: Brighton & Hove Albion - March 31
Unlike Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones could return after the international break after suffering an ankle injury during the 4-1 win over Brentford last month.
"Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance," Klopp said.
Alisson Becker
Injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Early April
Caoimhin Kelleher will resume as Liverpool's number one in the absence of Alisson Becker. The Brazilian shot-stopper is recovering from the hamstring injury which he suffered on the eve of the Reds' 4-1 win over Brentford.
"There is no real timescale on it, but it is a proper muscle injury," Klopp said at the beginning of March. "Different players recover differently. That is it pretty much.
"It is not a sure one. It is not that he will be in contention for next week or something like that. We have to wait a few more weeks, definitely, for him. He is working in the gym, not on the pitch."
Bobby Clark
Injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Manchester United - March 17 (likely after international break)
Bobby Clark limped off during the Sparta Prague rout. The 19-year-old was cynically brought down by Angelo Preciado but managed to continue before he was replaced by Mateusz Musialowski.
Klopp confirmed that Clark avoided any extensive damage after enduring swelling on his ankle but claimed he is fine. He said: "Bobby felt much better.
"It was uncomfortable, he got a knock there, a little swelling and that swelling led to the feeling it could be something more serious. But it's not, he's fine."
Diogo Jota
Injury: Knee
Predicted return date: Sheffield United - April 4
Diogo Jota is continuing his recovery from a knee injury after being stretchered off in the first half of the win over Brentford. The Portuguese was in fine form prior to his setback and made a key contribution against the Bees as he assisted Darwin Nunez for the opener.
Klopp revealed that there is a chance that Jota could return after the international break, in what would be a timely boost for the Premier League title run-in.
"Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance," said Klopp.
Stefan Bajcetic
Injury: Calf
Predicted return date: Unknown
There was a positive update regarding Stefan Bajcetic's fitness from Friday's press conference. The Spaniard returned from long-term injury last year but immediately suffered a setback.
But now Klopp has revealed that the 19-year-old will return to first-team training after the March internationals.
"Stefan is pretty much now in his pre-season to make him physically ready," said Klopp. "At the moment if he feels something it's not injuries but intensity. He is a young lad so we have to make sure we don't use him before he's then really ready.
"What happened before is the body wasn't 100% ready for the intensity of professional football. He's in a much better place now but it has taken a long time unfortunately, a real long time to improve that. But that's where we have to wait a little bit, he is in his pre-season and I think he will be part of team training after the international break."
Thiago Alcantara
Injury: Muscle
Predicted return date: Unknown
What Klopp said: "There's no timescale. I don't know, to be honest. It's a couple of things [that] he has to do now from a medical point of view and then I don't know if that will then mean that he can play again [this season]. That's not a short-term thing, that's why I'm not really in the subject. It's not that he might be in training in two weeks or stuff like this, so that's why I'm not 100 per cent in it. I cannot say more about it, to be honest."
Joel Matip
Injury: Knee
Predicted return date: Pre-season 2024
What Klopp said: "We lost today Joel and we have obviously no scan yet, but after all you hear and can see that will not be a short one. It's his knee. Unlucky, but we have to get through this."
Ben Doak
Injury: Knee
Predicted return date: Unknown
Doak has been absent since sustaining a knee injury with the Reds' Under-21s in December. It is uncertain that he will return before the end of the current campaign.