Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez injuries explained by Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool ring changes
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez have both missed out for the Liverpool squad that host Luton Town at Anfield.
And the two forwards now face a race against time to declare their fitness for Sunday's Carabao Cup final with Chelsea at Wembley as Klopp continues to juggle his options in the wake of an injury crisis that now leaves him without as many as 11 first-team players.
Both forwards suffered injuries in the 4-1 win at Brentford on Saturday with Salah succumbing to muscle fatigue after over six weeks without a Reds' game, while Nunez was brought off at half-time after opening the scoring at the Gtech Stadium.
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Klopp stated on Tuesday that both Salah and Nunez would be assessed on a "day by day" basis but neither are in the squad as the Reds look to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League this evening.
“They couldn’t have played tonight," Klopp said. "From here we will see who will be back for Sunday but that is not important at the moment.”
Instead, Harvey Elliott steps into the front three alongside Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, with the 20-year-old assuming the position of Salah on the right side of the trio.
At the back, Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise for Alisson Becker in goal behind a back four of Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, who steps in for Andy Robertson on the left.
Wataru Endo starts in midfield and Ryan Gravenberch is recalled after his second-half cameo at Brentford. The Netherlands Under-21 international is joined by Alexis Mac Allister in the two 'No.8' roles.
The absence of Salah and Nunez are two more hammer blows to Klopp, who is already without Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel
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