Liverpool’s injury crisis has intensified with Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones ruled out of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final.

Jota and Jones were forced off early in the Premier League leaders’ 4-1 win over Brentford last weekend with respective knee and ankle injuries. They have undergone scans in the last 24 hours, confirming they will not be available for forthcoming matches so must sit out the Wembley date with Chelsea.

Liverpool are awaiting further tests before determining exactly how much time the duo will be in rehabilitation. There were fears that Jota sustained a serious knee injury. However, there are credible reports in Portugal the striker may miss between six to eight weeks.

While that would be a blow for the player and club – especially with the timing and his recent form – that diagnosis is more positive than might have been imagined given the immediate concerns regarding ligament damage.

Jürgen Klopp is expected to know more before his regular pre-match press briefing on Tuesday, as Liverpool prepare to face Luton Town at Anfield.

Jota and Jones’ set-backs rapidly follow the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, also with a knee problem, and goalkeeper Alisson who suffered a muscle injury in training on Friday.

Alisson would not have played against Chelsea on Sunday anyway, but now he faces a race against time to feature before the international break, including the critical fixture against Manchester City on March 10.

Liverpool are also desperate for a positive bulletin on the fitness of midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who has a hamstring problem.

Darwin Núñez also presented cause for concern before being subbed as a precaution on Saturday after complaining of muscle pain.

Klopp’s squad is being stretched to the limit given the increasing absentees. Joel Matip is out for the season following knee surgery, Thiago Alcantara is still out for several more weeks, midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has barely played this season and youngster Ben Doak recently underwent ankle surgery.