Liverpool fans’ concerns of another injury were eased after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, with Arne Slot confirming Jarell Quansah did not pick up a knock during the game.
The center-back was replaced by Wataru Endo just before the half-hour mark in the semi-final first leg, after being handed a rare start by Slot.
“He didn’t feel really well, so from the moment the game started until the moment we had to take him off. He felt a pressure, I think he said on his chest,” the Liverpool boss said after the game, when asked about Quansah.
Arne Slot sent Trent Alexander-Arnold reminder in rare Liverpool loss
Trent Alexander-Arnold feelings clear as Liverpool frustrates Arne Slot - 5 talking points vs Spurs
“It went so fast: he came off and the game started again, so I have to ask him exactly, but he said he didn’t feel really well. It was not an injury, more not feeling really well. In the last few days he was a bit ill but we thought he was on his way back, but maybe that had something to do with it. I have to ask, but it had nothing to do with an injury.”
That leaves Liverpool with several selection concerns heading into Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Accrington Stanley. Along with Quansah, Dominik Szoboszlai is also struggling with illness and has missed the last two matches. Tyler Morton, who would have hoped to feature, also has an ankle problem.
“Yesterday, he wasn't in yet,” Slot said on Szoboszlai ahead of the trip to Spurs. “If he's in today, I would doubt if he's available to start the game.” The Liverpool boss will hope both Quansah and Szobaszlai are available to face Accrington, but he’s unlikely to rush either back for the third-round tie at Anfield.
Meanwhile, the only injury at present is Joe Gomez, who picked up a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s final match of 2024. Slot said the defender will be out for a ‘few weeks’, but it’s not clear when exactly he will return to the side.
With just one injury, Liverpool’s record is the best in the Premier League at present. The next lowest is the Reds’ next opponents Nottingham Forest, who have two injuries - Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo - while Manchester United has three and Arsenal and Fulham are without four players due to injury.