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Luke Thrower

Liverpool suffer potentially huge injury blow ahead of Carabao Cup final clash with Chelsea

Liverpool striker Diogo Jota may be an injury doubt for the Reds when they face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final later this month.

The Portugal international had to be withdrawn by Jurgen Klopp in the first-half of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday night, citing ankle issues as the reason.

The German coach later stated that Jota could have potentially played on, but a swollen ankle meant he was not going to take any chances.

Liverpool are set to know the full extent to his injury later this week, with the Reds facing Norwich and Leeds in the Premier League before the cup final against the Blues.

Speaking after the game to BT Sport, Klopp said: "I am really happy with everything apart from the fact that Diogo [Jota] had to go off with something around the ankle ligament, we don't know exactly.

"He could play on obviously, which maybe is a good sign, but at half-time the ankle was swollen anyway, so we had to change.."

He also added in his post-match press conference: “Do I know the full extent yet? No, I don't know that yet.”

It was the 25-year-old who happened to book his side a place in the final, scoring twice against Arsenal in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

However, with an array of attacking talents, Klopp still has options at his disposal. Former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah has already scored twice against the Blues this season, while Sadio Mane has also been one the scoresheet.

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino opened the scoring on Wednesday against Inter Milan and would be most likely to reprise the central striker role in Jota’s absence.

Diogo Jota of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)

January signing Luis Diaz joined from Porto is yet to be fully integrated into the side, but will be a danger if he plays, whilst a returning Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino may also cause problems.

Thomas Tuchel has some injury concerns of his own to deal with, as Mason Mount faces a race against time to be fit for the match at Wembley.

The England international picked up an ankle injury in the Club World Cup final against Palmeiras, getting substituted before half-time.

On the injury, Tuchel said: “He was injured. It was in one of the first actions, he had a run at the back post with Azpilicueta. They fell and his opponent fell on his ankle and he hurt his ligaments badly. So we have to see. It’s an injury.

"He came to me and said he didn’t feel good, stiff and painful. He didn’t know if he could continue so we took the decision.”

Mount is currently facing two-weeks on the sidelines, with a race to fitness for the cup final.

Wing-back duo Ben Chilwell and Reece James are set to miss the clash too, with the former out for the rest of the season, while the latter steps up his recovery in recent weeks.

Either way, both sides could be missing key players for the showdown at Wembley, where their strength in depth may be key to winning the contest.

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