Jurgen Klopp has ruled Diogo Jota out of Liverpool’s game with Leeds United tonight.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference via liverpoolfc.com, the manager also confirmed that the game comes too soon for Roberto Firmino.
“No, for tomorrow [against Leeds], no chance, and then the final we will see. I don’t know in the moment,” said Klopp.
The boss did provide some encouraging words for the pair ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. But with both players not yet in training, a decision will be made later in the week.
“It would be easy to say now ‘no’, but we will see. They are [pushing] but they were not on the pitch for training [yet] so that’s not a good sign,” the 54-year-old continued.
“We have to see what we can do with the boys in the next few days and then we make a decision later in the week.”
It seems the best we can hope for is a place on the bench for Jota and Firmino for Sunday, then.
Front three combinations
It’s unfortunate that having finally got everyone back fit, Liverpool were then dealt a double injury blow.
Klopp’s options were plentiful heading into the game against Inter Milan last Wednesday. All five of Jota, Firmino, Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah played a part in that game.
Of those five, only three now remain. Klopp will be desperate to avoid any injuries against Leeds tonight to make sure he can go as strong as possible with silverware on the line on Sunday.
This could mean an opportunity for one of Liverpool’s lesser heralded attacking options tonight.
Stage set for Divock
Divock Origi came off the bench to good effect for The Reds on Saturday against Norwich. His clever movement opened up the space for Salah and then Diaz to get on the scoresheet.
Coming on later in the game tends to be an effective way of using the Belgian. But he offers Liverpool a more physical threat than any of his teammates.
Although Sunday gives Liverpool the direct chance to claim a trophy, the game tonight is of huge importance too.
With an end of season exit potentially looming, it could be the perfect stage for Divock to do a Divock.
The Carabao king
Then there’s Takumi Minamino. The Japanese forward has had an excellent season in the Carabao Cup for Liverpool.
It has been a different story though in the Premier League. His 10 appearances in the competition amount to just 96 minutes, although he has impressively managed two goals in that time.
He was another who came off the bench on Saturday though, which shows he is in the manager’s thoughts.
It would be a fitting story if he managed to play a significant part in Sunday’s final. Minamino’s four goals mean that he, more than any other player, has carried Liverpool to Wembley.
With Jota and Firmino definitely missing, it could be that either Minamino or Origi get the chance to send a reminder about their qualities tonight.
Watch out Leeds!
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