Liverpool offer Thiago Alcantara injury update as four stars ruled out of Norwich cup tie

Liverpool V Southampton Match In Pictures

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Liverpool have offered an update on several of their first-team players ahead of the start of their Carabao Cup journey with their trip to Norwich City tomorrow, with the Reds looking to win the trophy for the first time in a decade.

Liverpool’s last triumph in the competition came in 2011/12, when they beat Cardiff City 3-2 on penalties at Wembley but they haven’t won it since.

They came closest in 2016 where they again played for the trophy on penalties, although Manchester City defeated them on that occasion.

Jurgen Klopp will be desperate for his side to claim some form of silverware having missed out on a trophy last season but he will have to make do without four of his first-team players at Norwich.

Thiago Alcantara is the newest casualty after the Spaniard picked up a calf injury in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The midfielder made his first league start of the season in the weekend prior away at Leeds, and his stellar performance earned him a starting berth at home to Crystal Palace.

However, a 62nd-minute injury cut his purple patch short and he will subsequently miss the trips to Norfolk and Brentford this week.

Assistant manager Pep Ljinders was on interview duties ahead of the cup tie, and whilst he couldn’t give an instant assessment on the midfielder’s injury, he definitively ruled him out for the week.

“Thiago, how the gaffer said after the game, it was a calf injury,” Ljinders said to the club’s official website.

“I can’t say now how long it will take but definitely not tomorrow and not at the weekend.

“Let’s get the scan results back and we have a proper diagnosis. A shame as well because he was taking the game by the hand, he was a proper playmaker in my opinion. A shame that we miss him.”

Elsewhere, Roberto Firmino restarted team training this week having picked up a hamstring injury against Chelsea at the end of August – but likewise will not be taking part at Carrow Road.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is absent due to illness, whilst Neco Williams also misses out meaning James Milner could fill in at right-back again although. Conor Bradley is also an option there.

The 35-year-old produced a stunning performance against Palace to roll back the years, showing his evergreen talent is still capable of producing top-class Premier League performances.

FOLLOW EXPRESS SPORT’S INSTAGRAM HERE

And Ljinders was quick to praise thee veteran midfielder.

“With speaking about Trent, I have to speak about Millie immediately,” he continued.

“It started with a James Milner lecture and it ended up he dominated the complete right flank. We wanted to solve the situation with Trent with experience but we got much more.

“That’s Trent, there are no symptoms – no Covid symptoms. We test regardless. He should be fine in a few days but Norwich comes too early.”

Source: Read Full Article