Jurgen Klopp has shown that Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez were injured in Liverpool’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Erik Ten Hag’s side cruised to a 4-3 final win over their struggling Merseyaspect sides at Old Trafford as Amad Diallo returned home in the final minute of extra time to knock the Reds out of the competition.
Alexis McAllister disallowed Scott McTominay’s opener and Liverpool took the lead twice in a fiercely thrilling competition. Harvey Elliott looked to have secured Liverpool’s victory in the first half of stoppage time when his deflected shot bounced past Andre Onana. But United hit back twice, first via Marcus Rashford and then Amad to death, ending Liverpool’s nine-game unbeaten run and their hopes of quadrupling in Klopp’s final season in charge.
Speaking in his post-match interview with ITV, Klopp revealed the extent of the game’s impact on his team with three new injuries popping up during the game: Diaz, Gakop and Nunez.
“Now the lads are going on a mission abroad, they will come back healthy,” Klopp said. “Lucho [Diaz] touched his eldest, Darwin, with his hamstring. Cody sprained his ankle. They’re betting back in 4 or five days. It’s crazy.
“I hope we finish the season on an excellent note. I sympathize with our people. “
Liverpool came into Sunday’s festival as favourites, but injuries have been ruthless for the Reds, with Klopp forced to face United with several key players, adding Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip.
Speaking about the functionality of his team, and that of its conflicting parties, Klopp told ITV: “We didn’t get off to a smart start, but we adapted very well and played a high-level game. At 2-1 we had a lot of chances. To kill the game, we were in a hurry at times and the rest is history. We were about to get there and in the end we lost the game. I can’t ask for more from the guys.
“We’ve had an intense season so far, you just have to count the games and today was difficult. United took a lot of risks, I respect that. Decision-making doesn’t as the game progresses. Congratulations to United on reaching the semi-finals. “
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