- Jota looks to be facing an extended period on the sidelines with hamstring injury
- Alisson is also suffering from a hamstring pain he suffered at the Etihad Stadium
- Pressure is easing on Man United boss Erik ten Hag: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Liverpool have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of a congested fixture schedule, with goalkeeper Alisson facing a battle to be fit for the clash with Manchester United and Diogo Jota ‘out for a little longer’.
Jota walked off the pitch early in the second half of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Saturday and is facing an extended period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, with the Reds set to play five games in the next 14 days – two Europa League and three in the league.
And Alisson joins him on the injury table for the next two games at least, also suffering from a hamstring pain suffered at the Etihad Stadium.
The Brazilian goalkeeper needed treatment late in the game and was seen limping off the pitch at full-time.
Alisson will miss Thursday night’s visit of Austrian side LASK Linz at Anfield, plus the home match with Fulham on Sunday.
He is also ‘probably’ set to miss the week after, which would take in league games against Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.
‘Both are out (Alisson and Jota),’ said Klopp. ‘Ali is a bit lesser, so we have to see. Not day by day, he cannot play tomorrow or Sunday and probably not the week after, should be kind of OK. Diogo will take a little bit longer, I don’t know exactly. Have to see.
‘We already have a lot not available (injured players). Thiago and (Andy Robertson) Robbo are out, now Diogo and Ali. That’s massive. It would be great if nothing else would happen, but that’s unlikely. We have to share the intensity between the group.’
Alisson’s injury is not as bad as first feared but it opens the door for Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been turned to regularly in the Europa League this season, barring one match where he had a minor knee injury.
Another fringe player Klopp has called upon amid injuries is Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who curtailed his international camp early to focus on returning to Liverpool. He has his critics but has stepped up admirably in the last few matches.
Klopp added: ‘Kostas needed rhythm and he knew he wasn’t flying. Last two games were really good, a big change for his assist at Brentford. We know he can produce beautiful things when he has an opportunity.’
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
