Nedum Onuoha says Jurgen Klopp now has three ‘huge’ worries about the Carabao Cup final vs Chelsea

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It’s a big couple of days at the AXA Training Centre ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

Heading into the final, the focus has been on the amount of injuries to key players Jurgen Klopp currently has. Liverpool are really sweating on the availability of too many right now.

Today’s update from Pep Lijnders was slightly positive in that respect. Luckily, it seems as though Dominik Szoboszlai may unexpectedly have a chance of playing. However, the assistant manager did reiterate that neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Diogo Jota will be anything like ready.

And according to pundit Nedum Onuoha, the absence of those three players will be ‘huge’ for Liverpool’s chances of lifting the trophy at Wembley.

“I think those concerns are going to be legitimate in terms of the people dropping out and missing Jota is going to be huge,” Onuoha told BBC’s Planet Premier League podcast.

“Szoboszlai potentially being out is huge and Alexander-Arnold being out is huge. But Klopp has a plan A and the players who got out on the pitch understand that, whatever the names me be. So I think Liverpool will still put on a good showing at the weekend.”

Liverpool battling ‘huge’ concerns

Although Lijnders did suggest that a decision was still yet to be taken on Szoboszlai, it feels certain that the Hungarian won’t start at Wembley.

He’s been injured for almost a month now, having last played against Chelsea on January 31st. That was only his second appearance after previously sitting out for more than three-weeks, too.

So, naturally fit as he is, it would be brave of Klopp to throw Szoboszlai straight back in for a cup final.

Given that Liverpool have recently had a number of players pick up a second injury shortly after sustaining a first, it would seem unwise to risk Dom.

As a result, the Reds will surely be missing all three of Onuoha’s mentioned trio. At least from the start.

Until we see the teamsheet on Sunday though, there will remain some hope that Szoboszlai can at least be ready for the bench. Not only would that boost Liverpool’s threadbare squad, but it would also mean the 23-year-old being in the matchday squad for his first final at the club.

Even if he isn’t quite ready to play, that would be a big moment for Szoboszlai. It might be worth doing.

Whether he makes it or not though, there’s no getting away from the fact that Liverpool have some big players out.

The one silver lining is perhaps the fact that these are not new issues. The Reds have already had time to process the injuries and have so far dealt with them. Concerns yes, but Jurgen will have his plan.