Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp casts doubt on Diaz, Nunez and Jota

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given a detailed rundown of the players who are unavailable for selection against Brighton, will also raising some doubts on whether Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota will be ready to start. The Reds have been disappointing to start the campaign so far with just two wins from their options six league games.

Injuries have taken their toll on Klopp’s side with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Jordan Henderson picking up knocks. It’s meant Klopp has had to regularly tinker with his starting line-up, but performances have still been far below their usual standards.

Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been off the pace while Mohamed Salah has similarly struggled to live up to his usually high standards. Klopp will be hoping that can all change starting with tomorrow’s home match against Brighton.

Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher and summer signing Calvin Ramsay were all spotted in training this week in a boost to the Liverpool boss. But a number of players still remain out long-term while Klopp suggests there will be late decisions made on Nunez, Jota and Diaz.

“Some are still out doing rehab,” Klopp said. “That’s Robbo, Curits [Jones], [Alex] Oxlade[-Chamberlain] and Naby [Keita]. Definitely these four.

“Luis only landed yesterday morning, didn’t see him yet. I heard he’s good but I’ll see him later.

“Darwin, precaution after intense travel and games. Same for Diogo. Calvin is not ready to play, but over the moon that he can train now.”

Liverpool players had a mixed bag of results over the international break with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino both being called up for England and Brazil respectively, but not playing a single minute. Jota played both matches for Portugal and scored in the 4-0 win over Czech Republic, but couldn’t help them defeat Spain.

Darwin Nunez also found the net for Uruguay for the first time since 2020 with a strong headed finish against Canada. Alisson kept his place as Brazil’s first-choice, playing all 90 minutes in both matches against Ghana and Tunisia while Fabinho had to make do with just a cameo from the bench against the former.

Diaz had arguably the toughest international break in terms of travel as he started in both of Colombia’s matches against Guatemala and Mexico which were played in New Jersey and California. Flights between the two American states can take around five hours and the 25-year-old is only expected to take part in a light training session either later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.