Liverpool’s full injury list ahead of Champions League clash at Ajax

Liverpool were forced to be without a further two senior players at Nottingham Forest, but just what does the current injury list look like for the Reds?

It’s consistently been one step forward and two back for Jurgen Klopp‘s side where injuries are concerned, as was witnessed over the weekend.

Just eight senior players have avoided any issue so far, while a total of 19 have all succumbed to one issue or another to miss a combined 119 games – and counting.

There are three names on the long-term injury list and five others that Klopp will be eager to use before the World Cup break in just 19 days’ time.

So what is the latest on those currently sidelined?

 

Darwin Nunez

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 16, 2022: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez takes off his shirt after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Hamstring
Out since: October 19
Expected return: Ajax (A)


After scoring the winner against West Ham and with momentum on his side, it was typical Liverpool misfortune that saw Nunez end the match with a minor hamstring complaint.

It was enough to rule him out of Saturday’s fixture but Klopp was optimistic that it will be a one-game absence.

“Darwin should be back, this game was just too early,” Klopp said on Saturday. “I think another day of recovery would have helped him. At least that is my knowledge in the moment.”

 

Thiago

Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool, vs Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool and Ajax at Anfield on September 13, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom (Photo by Andre Weening/Orange Pictures) Credit: Orange Pics BV/Alamy Live News

Injury: Ear infection
Out since: October 22
Expected return: Ajax (A)


An ear infection on the morning of the trip to Forest sent Thiago to the hospital before he was later driven home, with the issue enough to keep him out of the match.

The hope is he will have recovered in time for Wednesday’s trip to Ajax.

 

Ibrahima Konate

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 11, 2022: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group A matchday 4 game between Glasgow Rangers FC and Liverpool FC. (Pic by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)

Injury: Muscle
Out since: October 12
Expected return: Ajax (A)


Konate has missed Liverpool’s last three games with a muscle injury but the manager did confirm that “Ibou will train” from the start of the week.

With his time out extending to ‘just’ two weeks, there should be little concern about injecting him straight back into the team. An extra body in defence will be welcomed.

 

Naby Keita

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, July 30, 2022: Liverpool's Naby Keita during the FA Community Shield friendly match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at the King Power Stadium. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Thigh
Out since: August 21
Expected return: November, now back in full training


Keita has played just five minutes this season but is now back in full training, but there will be no rush on his return to the pitch as he first needs to get match fit.

“His pre-season, if you want, football pre-season starts then, more or less,” Klopp explained.

“There are a lot of football games to play and I can’t wait to have him back properly.”

 

Joel Matip

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 13, 2022: Liverpool's Joël Matip during the UEFA Champions League Group A matchday 2 game between Liverpool FC and AFC Ajax at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Calf
Out since: October 9
Expected return: November


What was initially said to be a two to three-week return timeline now appears slightly longer for Matip, with Klopp’s last update, pre-West Ham, saying he is “still a little bit away.”

It is Matip’s second injury of the season having missed three games earlier in the campaign with what was described as a “strange” injury.

He will surely be expected to return before the World Cup break.

 

Luis Diaz

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 9, 2022: Liverpool's Luis Díaz goes down injured during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Knee
Out since: October 9
Expected return: After World Cup


There was no surgery required for Diaz’s knee injury, leaving a recovery schedule of six-to-eight weeks.

He will be pencilled in for a return against Aston Villa after Christmas with the hope he can get back up to speed during Liverpool’s World Cup break in Dubai.

 

Diogo Jota

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 16, 2022: Liverpool's Diogo Jota is carried off injured on a stretcher during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Calf
Out since: October 16
Expected return: After World Cup


A serious injury for Jota has led to World Cup heartbreak, with his calf injury keeping him out of action for the foreseeable future.

There is no definitive timeline but that Klopp said “we will wait for him like a good wife waits for her husband in prison,” doesn’t bode well.

He has used the phrase for serious long-term injuries in the past, but Reds will be hoping the No. 20 is the exception – but either way, he will not be seen until 2023.

 

Arthur

ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 20, 2022: Liverpool's Arthur Melo during the English Football League Trophy Northern Group D match between Rochdale AFC and Liverpool FC Under-21's at Spotland. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Injury: Muscle
Out since: October 4
Expected return: January/February 2023


The first half of his season ended before it ever got up and running and the severity of his injury required surgery, which is to keep him sidelined for anywhere between three to four months.

Another Red not to see any minutes until 2023.