Alisson, Jones, Jota: Liverpool injury news and return dates ahead of Man Utd FA Cup clash

Jurgen Klopp will hope to move one step closer to rounding off what could be a glorious final season in charge of Liverpool when the Reds visit Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.

The two most successful clubs in the history of English football will go head-to-head as the Red Devils look to put an end to Klopp's attempts to add the FA Cup to his side's Carabao Cup win last month. As it stands, the former Borussia Dortmund boss could end the final season at Anfield with a quadruple as his side remain firmly in the race for the Premier League title and look well on their way to the last eight of the Europa League after easing to a 5-1 win in the first league of their round-of-16 tie with Sparta Prague.

Yet Klopp's attempts to claim further success have been hampered by a lengthy list of absentees as the injury list that has been a mainstay of the season shows little sign of receding. Ahead of their visit to Old Trafford, we take a look at the possible absentees for the cup tie and assess when they could return to action.

Joel Matip - Knee

There has been some doubt over the defender's future at Anfield after the anterior cruciate ligament he suffered during a 4-3 home win against Fulham in December brought a premature end to his season. The centre-back is undergoing rehabilitation but will not feature for the remainder of the campaign and is out of contract during the summer Expected return date: September 2024

Alisson - Thigh

The Brazil international is not expected to return until next month after picking up a thigh injury in the 4-1 win against Brentford. A return is not expected until next month, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher will remain in goal for Jurgen Klopp's side and the Republic of Ireland international will hope to give the Reds boss something to think about ahead of Alisson's return Expected return date: 14th April (Crystal Palace H)

Diogo Jota - Knee

The former Wolves forward picked up a knee injury in the 4-1 win at Brentford and Klopp initially said Jota was facing 'months' on the sidelines. Much like Alisson, the Portugal international is not expecting to return to contention until April Expected return date: 14th April (Crystal Palace H)

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Knee

A knee injury suffered during Liverpool's 3-1 win against Burnley last month ruled Alexander-Arnold out of the England squad that will face Brazil and Belgium over the coming weeks - but he is expected to make a return by the end of the month when the Reds host Brighton at Anfield Expected return date: 31st March (Brighton H)

Curtis Jones - Ankle

The England Under-21 international was another Reds player to suffer an injury in last month's win against Brentford and the ankle blow will keep him on the sidelines until after the international break - but much like Alexander-Arnold, the home game with Brighton will be his target Expected return date: 31st March (Brighton H)

Ryan Gravenberch - Ankle

Gravenberch was carried off during Liverpool's Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea and Klopp confirmed ligament damage means the former Ajax and Bayern Munich midfielder will miss the cup tie against the Red Devils Expected return date: 31st March (Brighton H)

Stefan Bajcetic - Abductor

The young midfielder is also targeting a return after the international break as he looks to get back in contention for the first time since he appeared in a Carabao Cup third round win against Championship leaders Leicester City in September Expected return date: 31st March (Brighton H)

Thiago - Thigh

Reds boss Klopp admitted he was unsure when the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder would return to contention from an ongoing thigh issue. He said: "Yeah, there's no timescale. I don't know, to be honest. It's a couple of things he has to do now from a medical point of view, and then I don't know if that will then mean that he can play again (this season).” Expected return date: Unknown.

Ibrahima Konate - Thigh

Konate missed last weekend's Anfield draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Klopp confirmed he was expected to sit out Thursday's Europa League round of 16 second leg meeting with Sparta Prague. However, the former Borussia Dortmund manager also revealed Konate has 'a good chance' of getting back in contention for the trip to Old Trafford Expected return date: 17th March (Manchester United A)