Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino for their Carabao Cup Final showdown with Chelsea this weekend, while Diogo Jota seems unlikely to feature at Wembley.
Both Reds attackers suffered injuries during the Champions League last-16 first-leg win over Inter Milan at the San Siro last week.
Firmino is dealing with a muscle issue, while Jota sustained an ankle problem in Italy. Both players missed Liverpool’s subsequent Premier League wins over Norwich and Leeds at Anfield that saw them move back within three points of leaders Manchester City in a suddenly captivating Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp’s assistant Pepijn Lijnders fulfilled press duties ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final and confirmed that Firmino definitely would not play against Chelsea either, while he also admitted that it would be a “massive challenge” for Jota to be fit.
“Bobby [Firmino] we have to see in the next two days. He is pushing himself really hard but he will not be available for the final, to reach the squad,” Lijnders told reporters.
“We hope he will be back really soon because you all see and know and feel how important he is for our way of playing, so I am happy that he is pushing himself. Hopefully he is soon back.
“Jota, so far no reaction on the things he did, so the straight-line running, the changes of direction and the ball work he did, so that’s a good sign. He isn’t ruled out but still it will be a challenge.”
