Liverpool dealt injury blow ahead of FA Cup final as Fabinho is ruled OUT of clash with Chelsea following injury against Aston Villa… though Jurgen Klopp is optimistic the Brazilian will return for the Champions League final
- Fabinho pulled up in the first-half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory against Aston Villa
- Jurgen Klopp has ruled Fabinho out of Saturday’s FA Cup final with Chelsea
- Fabinho should though be available for this month’s Champions League final
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool have no option but to just keep going after he confirmed Fabinho will miss the FA Cup Final.
But Liverpool’s manager is confident that the key Brazil midfielder has not suffered the kind of damage to his left hamstring that will prevent him from lining up against Real Madrid in the Champions League final in 16 days.
Fabinho is one of Klopp’s most trusted players but he will take no further action in the domestic campaign after he pulled up during the first half of Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa and the manner in which he went down caused significant alarm.
Fabinho will miss Saturday’s FA Cup final after coming off against Aston Villa with an injury
Fabinho’s loss is significant though Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool that ‘they need to cope’
Klopp has admitted there is no possibility of Fabinho lining up against Chelsea at Wembley, as Liverpool seek to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2006, but has been encouraged by medical bulletins that the 28-year-old will be in his squad for the grand finale in Paris.
‘There’s a good chance that he will be available for the Champions League final,’ Klopp confirmed today.
It is expected now that Jordan Henderson will take over Fabinho’s holding position against Chelsea – who themselves have injury issues ahead of the showdown at Wembley – with Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita flanking the captain. James Milner, however, is an experienced alternative.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is likely to step back into the team for the FA Cup final
There is no escaping, however, that Fabinho’s loss is significant but Klopp will not consider the idea of feeling sorry for himself, saying: ‘We have to.
‘Because we can cope. Having him or not having him is a difference but it is all fine.
‘That’s normal stuff that happens. It’s never in a position where you have 12 options, it’s always in a position where you [don’t].
‘We have a few players. Hendo came on and played incredible, he has played super games this season at six, so that is not a problem.’
Klopp said there’s a good chance that Fabinho will be available for the Champions League final
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