The Reds' injury issues have eased considerably over the past few weeks but some players are unlikely to ever play for the club again…
Liverpool paid a heavy price for competing on four fronts for so long this season, with the Reds plagued by a plethora of fitness problems in recent weeks and months. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp had to put his faith in Academy graduates during the stunning Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Of course, the kids came up trumps, helping the Reds claim a famous 1-0 win at Wembley despite being shorn of so many regular squad members and certain starters but injuries have since taken their toll and fatigue has become a major issue during the conclusion of the campaign.
After a shock FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United, Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta in painfully tame fashion before seeing their Premier League title bid derailed by dismal defeats, at home to Crystal Palace and away to Everton, and a draw at West Ham.
So, which players are still sidelined? Who might return before the end of the season? And who may never play for the club again? GOAL runs through Liverpool's injury list below…
Getty Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk played all 90 minutes of the disappointing draw with West Ham at the London Stadium but picked up a minor knock that prevented him from training for the majority of the week.
However, Klopp has now revealed that the Dutch defender could "probably" do some "parts of team training" on Friday, meaning Van Dijk could lead the team out against Spurs on Sunday.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDiogo Jota
Given Liverpool's inability to take their chances, the loss of Jota so soon after his long-awaited return to action arguably killed off any hope the Reds had left of winning the league. The Portuguese netted in the 3-1 win at Fulham but was then ruled out for two weeks with a minor injury.
“I cannot really say a lot about it, to be honest," Klopp said ahead of the Merseyside derby. "Before a game where he didn’t start, he got a knock – normal challenge, then felt a little bit at the hip. That was then fine because we didn’t start him, brought him on, that was alright.
“Then he started the last game (against Fulham), was obviously OK and then with the finish… it’s a small one but we are late in the season, so obviously now it’s not a great moment for each injury. But it’s not a big one. Actually, it’s pretty much nothing but enough to not be available."
Indeed, Jota won't feature against Tottenham but should return against Aston Villa on May 13.
GettyConor Bradley
Bradley was forced off shortly after half-time in the shock loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield. "[He] overstretched the ligaments, not serious-serious but serious enough that he's not [able to play]," Klopp explained last week.
"I think Ryan Gravenberch had a similar thing," the manager added, alluding to the Dutchman's injury in the Carabao Cup final. "So, first week of May, [Bradley] should be back in training."
Klopp was spot on, with the Northern Irishman in contention to make the bench for this weekend's game against Spurs.
Getty Stefan Bajcetic
Bajcetic was one of the few bright lights of an otherwise dark 2022-23 season before his campaign was cut short by an adductor problem. The Spanish teenager took far longer than expected to get back to full fitness and then, when he did, he was sidelined by injury again related to growing pains, meaning the No.6 has still only made two appearances this term – both of which came at right-back.
However, Bajcetic could yet feature for the first team before the end of the season, having made his long-awaited return to action on April 12, playing 30 minutes in an Under-21s game against Manchester United.