Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino when they play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday evening.
The Brazilian has failed to recover in time from a muscle injury he picked during Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Inter Milan in the Champions League last week.
Jurgen Klopp will however be happy to have Diogo Jota back, having shaken off a minor injury he picked during the same match in Milan.
“Bobby we have to see in the next two days. He is pushing himself really hard but he will not be available for the final, to reach the squad,” Pepijn Lijnders told the media on Friday.
“We hope he will be back really soon because you all see and know and feel how important he is for our way of playing, so I am happy that he is pushing himself. Hopefully, he is soon back.
“Jota, so far no reaction on the things he did, so the straight-line running, the changes of direction and the ball work he did, so that’s a good sign. He isn’t ruled out but still, it will be a challenge.”
Lijnders further revealed Caoimhin Kelleher will start between the posts ahead of Alisson Becker.
“I think Caoimh is a really good example. If you look at him, he is going to play the final – if everything goes well tomorrow, of course, in training.
Chelsea news
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel revealed in his pre-match conference that he has a fully-fit squad to pick from, with perhaps only Ben Chilwell still out.
“Everybody joined team training from the first to the last minute,” Tuchel said on Friday.
“We have had at the moment no reactions, just positive reactions, and I hope it stays like this and we have everyone available for Sunday after our last training tomorrow.”
Among those who returned is Reece James, who has been out since December.
Tuchel was coy on who will start between Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“We will take the decision late… the very last decision we will take after training like always. There is no need to take the decision now when we have one more training [session].”
Chelsea will be looking to add the Carabao Cup to their two titles won so far this season.
