Injury comparison at Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City as Premier League title race swings back into focus

Liverpool are the 2023/24 Carabao Cup champions after an iconic extra-time performance was delivered by the club's youngest and brightest talents amid an unprecedented injury crisis at Anfield.

Heading into the game, Jurgen Klopp was without the following players due to injury.

• Mohamed Salah
• Dominik Szoboszlai
• Diogo Jota
• Curtis Jones
• Trent Alexander-Arnold
• Alisson Becker
• Darwin Nunez
• Thiago Alcantara
• Joel Matip
• Stefan Bajcetic
• Ben Doak

Despite having enough star quality players on the sidelines to field a pretty damn impressive starting XI, Liverpool still managed to grind out a win in extremely impressive fashion.

To make matters worse on the injury front, however, Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off with an ankle injury sustained from a nasty Moises Caicedo tackle. The Dutch Liverpool midfielder was seen after full-time sporting a moon boot and walking with the aid of crutches.

The Ecuadorian did more damage to Liverpool ankles in the final, leaving his mark on Wataru Endo in injury time.

The Japan international was spotted after full-time wearing a moon boot and using crutches. While used primarily to contain inflammation and restrict movement, it's not a good sign.

How fare Arsenal and Manchester City on the injury front in comparison to Liverpool as the Premier League title race snaps back into focus?

Liverpool play Southampton in the FA Cup midweek but with Klopp expected to rest as many players as possible, focus has already returned to the Premier League title race.

Focus returns to the battle between Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal with the three sides locked in a three-way fight for the 2024 title.

The Reds lead the pack but their advantage at the top has been reduced since they beat Luton 4-1.

Liverpool may be the Carabao Cup champions but their squad remains injury-stricken and much will depend on how quickly key players can return to action.

But how do Arsenal and Man City fare on the injury front?

Arsenal's injuries

At the time of writing, Mikel Arteta is unable to call on just four players.

According to data from Premier Injuries, they are:

1. Jurrien Timber. Knee injury. Potential return date: 20 April 2024.
2. Takehiro Tomiyasu. Calf injury. Potential return date: 12 April 2024.
   
3. Thomas Partey. Thigh injury. Potential return date: 4 March 2024.
   
4. Oleksandr Zinchenko. Calf injury. Potential return date: 3 March 2024.
   

Manchester City's injuries

Pep Guardiola is without only one player with Josko Gvardiol ruled out until 3 March 2024 with an ankle/foot problem.

Liverpool's position at the top of the Premier League table feels vulnerable

With 12 Liverpool players currently missing through injury, the Reds' current position at the top of the Premier League table looks vulnerable.

Klopp is the only manager you would expect to be able to pull off a miracle despite the sheer number of injuries.

Yet, with Manchester City set to visit Anfield on the 10th of March, the pressure is on for the Reds to get their key players back in the side.

There is a special, historic feeling about this season which has only been enhanced by Jurgen Klopp announcing he will leave at the end of the season and now winning the Carabao Cup.

The stars will need to align for a quadruple or treble to be possible for Liverpool but with the never-say-die attitude this squad has, I wouldn't rule it out.