Liverpool give injury updates on 4 key players for EFL Cup clash

Ahead of an EFL Cup third-round clash at Norwich City, Liverpool assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders gave injury updates on four key players.

Pepijn Lijnders has ruled Thiago Alcantara, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino, and Neco Williams out of Liverpool’s trip to Norwich City.

The Reds visit Carrow Road on Tuesday evening to begin their EFL Cup campaign in a third-round clash with Norwich.

Lijnders confirmed on Monday that Curtis Jones will make his first start of the season for the match, while Caoimhin Kelleher will replace Alison Becker in goal.

Thiago out for next two games

The Liverpool assistant coach has announced that Thiago Alcantara won’t feature against Norwich on Tuesday or in Saturday’s trip to Brentford in the Premier League as the midfielder recovers from injury.

“Thiago, how the gaffer [Jurgen Klopp] said after the game [Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace], it was a calf injury. I can’t say now how long it will take, but definitely not tomorrow and not at the weekend,” Lijnders told the club’s website.

“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.”

Alexander-Arnold also out but not for long

Alexander-Arnold, who missed the 3-0 win over Palace at the weekend, will remain absent on Tuesday due to illness but could return to face Brentford.

“Our game basically started at 12 o’clock against Palace; he took responsibility to speak with the doctor,” Lijnders said.

“It was not easy because these guys – it says a lot about our group anyway – they want to play everything, [even] if they feel a bit shaky or ill, but he took the responsibility. There are no Covid symptoms. We test regardless. He should be fine in a few days, but Norwich comes too early.”

Firmino and Williams not ready for comebacks

Roberto Firmino and Neco Williams are recovering well from their respective injuries, but the Norwich game is too soon for them to return.

Lijnders added: “Bobby will do parts of team training but also not ready. He is progressing well. Neco is progressing well as well. [For him] tomorrow also comes too early.”