Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Thiago injury latest plus expected Liverpool return dates

Jurgen Klopp is being made to wait to sweat on the fitness of Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker after the pair sustained injuries in Saturday’s draw at Manchester City.

Jota was replaced by Luis Diaz shortly after half time at the Etihad, while Alisson was in need of treatment late on as City pushed for a winner before being attended to by the Reds’ medical staff after the final whistle.

Alisson Becker

After Saturday’s draw at the Etihad, Klopp appeared to hint that the Brazilian had suffered a tweak to his hamstring, which he could be seen holding as he left the turf at full time.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Liverpool manager said: “I hope it’s not that serious, but I don’t have the answer – no clue in the moment what it is. I spoke to him and he said he only felt [it] a little bit, but we have to wait for the scan.”

Expected return date: Unknown

Diogo Jota

Like Alisson, Jota was another member of the Reds’ travelling contingent to leave East Manchester with his fitness plunged into doubt.

The Portugal international fell to the ground unmarked early in the second half, clutching a muscle and was swiftly replaced by Diaz.

Jota will undergo scans at the AXA Training Centre this week while Liverpool continue to assess the severity of his issue, potentially ruling him out of games against LASK and Fulham.

Expected return date: Unkown

Andy Robertson

Kostas Tsimikas is expected to deputise for Robertson until January at least, with the Scotland international some way of a return to action after dislocating his shoulder in October.

The left-back has not played for club or country since colliding with Unai Simon during Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain last month.

Providing an update on his condition last week, Robertson said: “It’s so far so good; three weeks since my surgery now, so everything is progressing well. I have just got to take it bit by bit and week by week. Everything has went well up to this point, and hopefully, that continues.”

Expected return date: January 2023

Thiago Alcantara

It is hoped that Thiago will be able to make a return to action in January too. However, if his seven-month rehabilitation has taught any lessons it is that rarely do returns from injury ever go to plan.

The Spaniard has not featured for the Reds since April’s 2-1 victory at West Ham United after it was decided that cutting his 2022/23 season short would be beneficial in time for a summer return.

That has not been the case for the Spaniard, who briefly made a return to training in the summer before suffering a setback early into the new season.

Speaking to reporters about Thiago at the start of this month, Klopp said: ‘It’s an ongoing thing, and we cannot put any kind of pressure on. We expect him to be back – I would say probably the start of the New Year – that’s probably a realistic thing to try.”

Expected return date: January 2023

Stefan Bajcetic

Similarly to Thiago, Bajcetic has endured an injury-hit campaign at Anfield and only made two appearances across all competitions.

The Spaniard initially suffered an adductor injury in March and has since his progress hampered, now suffering from a fresh setback.

Speaking last week, Bajcetic provided an update on his condition, saying: “Because I had the same injury before but in the other side, when I was getting the pain, I kind of thought about that, it was going to be the same.

“But in my mind it was like, ‘it can’t be the same, I need to keep playing’.

“But I did a scan. Scans are very cruel – they always show something. I remember I was at home, they rang me and they told me, ‘you have a stress response’. Obviously, it was a tough moment but I kind of took it well, I think. I took it as an opportunity to get stronger, improve in some bits. I just tried to stay positive mentally.”

Expected return date: Unknown