Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is facing a mounting injury crisis ahead of Wednesday's crucial Premier League showdown against Chelsea at Anfield, with three key players racing against time to be fit.
Triple Injury Blow for Reds
The Merseyside club has been hit with significant fitness concerns surrounding star attackers Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, alongside midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. All three players were forced off during Saturday's dramatic 4-1 victory over Brentford, leaving Klopp with major selection headaches.
Darwin Nunez was substituted at half-time after complaining of muscle discomfort, while Mohamed Salah's return from injury lasted just 45 minutes before he too had to be withdrawn. The Egyptian superstar, making his first start since New Year's Day, felt tightness in his hamstring area.
Szoboszlai Set for Lengthy Absence
Perhaps most concerning for Liverpool fans is the situation surrounding Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian international suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem and is expected to face "weeks rather than days" on the sidelines according to club sources.
This represents a significant setback for the £60 million summer signing, who had only just returned from a similar issue that kept him out for most of January.
Chelsea Clash Comes at Worst Possible Time
The timing couldn't be worse for Liverpool, who face a resurgent Chelsea side looking to build momentum under Mauricio Pochettino. With the Premier League title race intensifying, every point becomes crucial in the run-in.
Klopp now faces difficult decisions about whether to risk his key players against Chelsea or preserve them for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against the same opponents at Wembley.
Klopp's Selection Dilemma
Speaking after the Brentford match, Klopp admitted his concerns: "We don't know yet. We have to see. We took them off because we were concerned, that's all. We have to see how they recover."
The German manager now has limited options in attack, with Diogo Jota also sidelined until mid-March with a knee injury. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz are likely to feature prominently if Nunez and Salah are unavailable.
In midfield, the absence of Szoboszlai compounds existing problems, with Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic already long-term absentees. Youngsters like Bobby Clark and James McConnell may see increased playing time during this injury crisis.
