Here is our Liverpool morning digest for Wednesday, February 23.
Liverpool trio set for Carabao Cup final chance
Liverpool spent the entire first half of the season knowing that come January, they would be without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, along with Naby Keita, due to the Africa Cup of Nations, writes Theo Squires.
As a result, it was supposed to be the month Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi showed their worth to the Reds, with the duo set to be given a rare stage to shine on alongside Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
Alas, that is not how events unfolded. The Belgian would miss the entire month through injury while the Japan international would miss the start of January with a setback of his own and start just twice in the absence of the African duo.
Still, at least he scored twice even if he would see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kaide Gordon selected to start ahead of him in Liverpool’s front three during the month.
With Salah and Mane now firmly back at Anfield after facing off in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Luis Diaz signed up after a £49m January move from FC Porto and Harvey Elliott back from long-term injury, Origi and Minamino have ultimately fallen further down the pecking order after their missed mid-season opening.
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However, now they could be given a fresh chance to impress on the eve of the League Cup final with Jota and Firmino, having survived any injuries themselves in January when Salah and Mane were away, now facing a race against time to be fit for Wembley.
Having suffered ankle and muscle injuries against Inter Milan last week respectively, the duo sat out the Reds’ weekend victory over Norwich City and, after missing training on Monday, look set to be absent for the clash with Leeds United too.
Despite their absence, Jurgen Klopp refused to rule them out of the League Cup final showdown with Chelsea, insisting they would be given every chance and assistance to recover in time.
Whether they have a realistic chance of recovering in time or if Klopp is just keeping his cards close to his chest in order to play mind games with Chelsea, only the German and his medical staff will know.
But it does leave a potential opening in the Liverpool frontline for their clash with Leeds, if not the League Cup final and beyond too.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Diogo Jota hint dropped
Diogo Jota's barber has hinted at the possibility of the Liverpool striker being fit for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Barbersno1 posted a picture on their social media account of Jota with a fresh hair cut and the caption 'final ready'.
Jurgen Klopp today confirmed that Jota, along with Roberto Firmino, will miss the visit of Leeds United in the Premier League tomorrow night through injury.
However, Klopp has given both attacking players a chance of making the squad for Sunday's huge encounter with Chelsea at Wembley.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
