Liverpool injury latest and return dates including Luis Díaz as two withdraw from national duty

Liverpool injury latest and return dates including Luis Díaz as two withdraw from national duty

Latest Liverpool injury news and expected return dates as the international break arrives. Two have withdrawn, but Luis Díaz has gone away with Colombia.

Colombia’s forward Luis Díaz (2nd-L) and midfielder James Rodriguez (R) are pictured with their teammates during a training session in Barranquilla, Colombia, on November 15, 2023, ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification football matches against Brazil and Paraguay.
Luis Díaz is away from Liverpool representing Colombia after an injury concern against Manchester United.

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Liverpool just ran out of steam before the international break. Having worked wonders with an injury-ravaged squad for weeks, a trip to Old Trafford proved one step too far for Jürgen Klopp, whose quadruple dream died with an FA Cup quarter-final defeat.

It’s a tricky one to assess, because despite its problems, Liverpool did more than enough to win the game against Manchester United. But while the specifics of the match might not be directly attributable to injuries and fatigue, it has to be taken in the wider context — Klopp could not keep defying the realities of his packed treatment room forever.

In that sense, then, there is hope that this international break could actually be quite well-timed. It gives players time to recover without missing any more important Liverpool fixtures.

READ MORE: ‘All documents signed’ for first Michael Edwards move as Liverpool and FSG rebuild continues

READ MORE: Fernando Torres looks very different and has new job before Liverpool and Steven Gerrard reunion

However, the trade-off is the risk that players could pick up further injuries on international duty. All Klopp can do now is cross his fingers in respect of those who have jetted off to join up with their national teams.

We’ll be keeping you updated over the next few days. For now, here’s how things stand on the Liverpool injury front.

Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo
Making matters worse in the defeat to Manchester United, Klopp confirmed after the game that three of his players — all forwards — had picked up injury concerns during the game. Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo all had complaints of some description come the end of extra time.

Resultantly, Núñez has been withdrawn from the Uruguay squad for the upcoming internationals, joining Mohamed Salah in sitting out the March fixtures. However, there is optimism that it is no more than a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, both Díaz and Gakpo have reported for national duty, with Colombia and the Netherlands respectively. While this clearly suggests the injuries were minor, Klopp will nonetheless be watching their involvement from behind the sofa.

Possible return dates: March 31 vs Brighton

Ibrahima Konaté
Ibrahima Konaté did not make it back in time for the game against Manchester United, having also missed the crunch Premier League meeting with Manchester City. That’s after he was forced off in the second leg against Sparta Prague, where Klopp fielded a surprisingly strong team.

However, the manager described a ‘race’ to be fit for the match at Old Trafford, with Konaté not far off fitness. Sure enough, he has been called up by France, and has been pictured in training, another situation Liverpool will monitor anxiously.

Possible return date: March 31 vs Brighton.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones
Some of the longer-term absentees should be ready to return shortly after the international break. Curtis Jones was being watched closely by England before injury thwarted his chances of a maiden call-up, but he is expected back for Liverpool when domestic action returns.

Klopp has said that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are about a week behind, provided there are no further setbacks. This would be another key trio to have back in the fold — with all potentially available for the rematch against Manchester United, this time in the league.

Possible return dates: March 31 vs Brighton for Jones, April 7 vs Manchester United for Jota and Alexander-Arnold.

Alisson
Alisson was conspicuous by his absence from Klopp’s latest fitness update. The Brazilian stopper was not mentioned in the group of Jones, Jota and Alexander-Arnold as a candidate for a rapid return after the internationals.

The manager has previously described the setback as ‘rather serious’, though he was adamant it would not end Alisson’s season. Fortunately, Caoimhín Kelleher has been deputizing admirably in the meantime

Possible return date: Unknown.

Stefan Bajčetić
In an exciting development, Stefan Bajčetić has returned to training. Klopp likened it to his personal ‘pre-season’ before he is ready to join the full group.

Naturally, Liverpool will be extremely cautious with reintegrating the youngster, who has been absent for the vast majority of the season after a breakthrough campaign last time out. With a maximum of 15 games left in this season, all of which will be of the utmost importance, he’s unlikely to get any significant minutes.

However, there’s no doubt that the return of Bajčetić will strengthen the squad. While there is no firm date, it doesn’t look far away.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Thiago, Joël Matip and Ben Doak
Having made his return from a season-long absence against Arsenal in January, Thiago suffered another setback. Klopp has admitted he does not know whether the Spaniard will play for Liverpool again.

As such, he returns to the list of long-term absentees. He’s in good company, with Joël Matip also potentially having played his last match for the Reds after suffering ligament damage in December.

Meanwhile, youngster Ben Doak has been sidelined for months already. Interestingly, he was left in the Europa League squad at the latest update while Matip was removed, suggesting the Scot has the better chance of returning to fitness before the end of the campaign.

Possible return dates: End of season or thereabouts.

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Cristiano Ronaldo told he’s past his ‘peak’ as Man Utd could hand Liverpool $53m transfer boost
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he’s past his peak by an international teammate. Manchester United may have just handed Liverpool a summer transfer boost.

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ByJames FindlaterContent Editor
15:00, 20 MAR 2024
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he’s past his peak by a teammate
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he’s past his peak by a teammate (Image: Getty Images)
The disappointment of Liverpool’s exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United still lingers. There is though still plenty for the Reds to play for this season.

The international break has arrived as both a blessing and a curse for the club. While Liverpool would have no doubt wanted to respond instantly following the defeat at Old Trafford, the time without a game should hopefully see some players return from injury.

The likes of Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota shouldn’t be far off a comeback, while Darwin Núñez will get some much-needed time off after being withdrawn from Uruguay duty. Jürgen Klopp though will no doubt be keeping a nervous eye on his other international stars over the next week or so.

READ MORE: Richard Hughes can exploit FFP situation to sign Liverpool ‘target’ who just copied Xabi Alonso

READ MORE: Richard Hughes has three priorities on checklist after becoming new Liverpool sporting director

The Liverpool boss now knows he has a maximum of 15 games left in charge before he departs in the summer. The quadruple is now out of the question, but the Premier League and Europa League are still up for grabs.

Other clubs will of course be hoping to deny Klopp his ideal farewell. Here, Liverpool.com takes a scan around the Premier League and across the continent to see what’s going on at Liverpool’s rivals.

Manchester United hands Donyell Malen boost to Liverpool
Manchester United has reportedly handed a boost to Liverpool after cooling its interest in Donyell Malen. According to the Metro, the Borussia Dortmund winger had been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with United potentially looking to use Jadon Sancho’s return to Germany as leverage.

United’s decision could come as encouragement for Liverpool and Arsenal, who are both said to have registered an interest in Malen. The former PSV Eindhoven star has reportedly told Dortmund bosses that he wants to leave, with the Bundesliga club looking to raise around $53m (£42m/€49m).

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Liverpool.com says: Well, one less competitor might make things easier for Liverpool should it want to sign Malen, although the presence of Arsenal would still be a major hurdle. You’d imagine the Reds would have more to offer than the Gunners.

Primarily a right-winger, Malen would find it hard to displace either Mohamed Salah or Bukayo Saka at the moment. The latter is just 22 though, while Salah is 31, so there would be a clear succession plan in place for Malen at Anfield.

João Cancelo makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim
João Cancelo has caused something of a stir by suggesting Cristiano Ronaldo is past his peak — by as much as seven years. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star ended 2023 as the top male goal-scorer in the world with 54 goals, but Portugal teammate Cancelo insists the nation won’t be depending on the 39-year-old for the upcoming Euro 2024.

“He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d’Or, but the peak of a footballer’s career is between the ages of 25 and 32,” Cancelo told Portuguese network RTP. “He is an important player for us, but the national team does not depend entirely on him.”

Liverpool.com says: It’s telling that what is quite a reasonable point from Cancelo can cause uproar among modern football fans. The obsession with Ronaldo is quite unhealthy in some corners of the internet.

Yes, he was the top goal-scorer in the world last year, but in a far inferior league to what he has played in previously. The idea that scoring 54 goals while playing in Saudi Arabia means he’s still at the same level is simply laughable, and Portugal can’t afford to rely on him at the Euros. After all, he didn’t exactly impress at the 2022 World Cup.

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TRANSFER NEWS
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FEATURES
PREMIER LEAGUE
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