Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino Have “no chance” of facing Leeds and big doubt for Carabao Cup final

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota will be unavailable for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Leeds United.

The Reds welcome Marcelo Bielsa’s side to Anfield with the hope of recording their ninth win in a row and moving to within three points of league leaders Manchester City.

But Klopp has confirmed he will be without the pair on Wednesday and suggested it doesn’t look good for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea either.

“No chance for tomorrow,” Klopp said. “Sunday we will see.”

“It will be easier for me to say no now but they are pushing. They were not on the pitch today for training so that’s not a good sign. We’ll make a decision in the week.”

Both Jota and Firmino were injured during last week’s 2-0 Champions League last-16 first leg win against Inter Milan, with the former suffering an ankle injury and the latter a muscle problem.

They both missed Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Norwich City.

Striker’s spot wide open for visit of Leeds

The absence of both of Klopp’s preferred starters up-top leaves the German with a problem to solve.

On Saturday he started a front-three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz, but despite Klopp saying he is only focusing on the Leeds game, there must be an element of rest influencing the starting XI.

It could mean a rare start for Divock Origi - yet to start in the Premier League this season - or a central role for one of Salah or Mane.

What is definitely true is that whoever starts could well be playing for a place in the Carabao Cup final, with Klopp admitting both Firmino and Jota are doubtful.

No thoughts of final regarding team selection

Klopp was keen to stress his focus on Wednesday’s game and said Sunday will have no influence over team selection.

Fabinho, Thiago and Andy Robertson were all benched for the Canaries’ visit to Anfield, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was given the day off altogether.

But Klopp insisted that the team he picked was for Norwich and Norwich alone, and he was quick to make the same point regarding Wednesday’s visit of Leeds.

“I didn’t think about Sunday’s team.” He said.

“One thing I’ve learned is it doesn’t work for me to have two or three games in my mind. We try everything for this game.

“We didn’t make Norwich changes for Leeds or final, we needed to rest some. Exactly how we do it now.

“I have a few things to solve this week but I don’t even try to think about the next game we play.”