Liverpool injury woes compared to Man City and Arsenal as Jürgen Klopp's 'easy excuse' is justified

When Jürgen Klopp reflected on his final season in charge of Liverpool, he insisted it had been one of progress. The quadruple had been an unlikely dream at one stage of the campaign but the Reds had to settle for one trophy and a return to the Champions League.

Liverpool managed just three wins from its last eight matches and that run ultimately distinguished any faint title hope. In the final scoring, Klopp's men finished up in third, nine points adrift of Manchester City and seven off runners-up Arsenal.

There were some suggestions that Klopp's decision to announce his exit plans derailed Liverpool's title challenge. In reality, it was injuries that truly put pay to that.

READ MORE: Outgoing Liverpool coach appears to confirm first transfer exit under Arne Slot

READ MORE: Ex-Livepool striker could now end up at Bayern Munich as Man City ace 'has $64m release clause'

The Reds had to make do with an injury crisis in the first few months of 2024 and somehow came through it. No Liverpool fan will forget the Carabao Cup final at Wembley when Klopp's kids overcame Chelsea.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez were all missing that day and yet the Reds still prevailed. Those players did return at the end of the campaign but some didn't find their best form, and others were running on empty come April and May. And with good reason.

According to Premier Injuries (via BBC Sport), Liverpool had 21 members of its 26-man first team squad pick up an injury at some stage of the campaign. That is in stark contrast to City and Arsenal, who had a league-lowest 14 each.

Furthermore, Liverpool's players suffered a total of 35 separate injuries which is again considerably higher than the champions (26) and the runners-up from the Emirates (23). Yet what is the most mind-blowing is how long Klopp had to make do without a fully fit squad.

Klopp's squad lost a hefty 1,383 days to injury — most of which were taken up by long-term absentees Joël Matip and Thiago Alcântara. In comparison, Arsenal's players missed 898 days and City's just 672.

It is then hardly a surprise that Pep Guardiola's side, as it so often does, was able to go on a run at the end of the campaign. Yes he has great talent at his disposal, but in this instance, he also had great luck.

Injuries are part and parcel of any season and Klopp refused to use those setbacks as an excuse. After the defeat to Everton, he said: "We had injuries to four players who never had injuries like that before. But we don’t go for easy excuses. We think, and the boys do as well, that we should do better."

With the season done and dusted, Klopp will have time to reflect on his last title challenge. And he may just ponder if, without injuries, the end result could have been different.