Liverpool Suffer Setback Ahead Of FA Cup Final; Midfielder Ruled Out [Details]

Liverpool FC will be without defensive midfielder Fabinho for the FA Cup final against Chelsea, boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed. 

Fabinho was forced off the field in the first half of Liverpool’s Premier League outing at Aston Villa on Tuesday due to a muscle-related injury. Ahead of the FA Cup final, Klopp said “there’s a good chance that he will be back whenever – not for the weekend but whenever,” according to Liverpool’s official website. 

Giving a little hope to the Reds fans, Klopp also said Fabinho could return in time for their all-important Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 29 in Paris. 

“We can cope,” Klopp said when reporters asked him how Fabinho’s absence would impact Liverpool’s title hopes, BBC Sport reported. 

“We have to. 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. There’s a good chance that he will be available for the Champions League final,” the German boss added. 

Fabinho (right) has been a key figure at Liverpool over the last couple of years Photo: POOL / PHIL NOBLE

Liverpool are chasing a historic quadruple. They won the League Cup by beating Chelsea in the final in February. Coincidentally, the two sides are set to face off against each other again at Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup final as the Anfield side is aiming to lift their season’s second trophy; while Chelsea will be looking to avenge their League Cup defeat. 

The Reds are alive in the Premier League as well but they are three points behind Manchester City with two games remaining. 

Jordan Henderson, who replaced Fabinho in the Aston Villa game, could retain his position in the defensive midfield, Klopp hinted. “Hendo came on and played incredibly. He has played super games this season at number six, so that is not a problem,” he said. 

In the ongoing season, Liverpool have lost just three games: two in the league and one in the Champions League.