Next few weeks will test Liverpool in more ways than one

We are entering a period of the season where every result is going to be amplified, whether it's good or bad.

Firstly, the injuries continue piling up as Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones have joined the star-laden injury room at Liverpool. Jota in particular will not be seen for a long time indeed.

At various times during this season we have lauded the club for the surprising depth they have shown and the ability of youngsters to rise to the occasion. However, we are getting close to a point of critical mass.

The return of Mohamed Salah at the weekend with a goal and an assist went a long way to easing some of those concerns.

Unfortunately, the timing of this bevy of injuries comes right when the fixture list is getting stacked once again. In the span of the next week alone, the Reds are going to play matches in three different competitions starting with the Premier League clash on Wednesday against Luton Town.

That is not a gimme result as Liverpool needed a late Luis Diaz goal to salvage a point against the upstarts earlier this campaign.

This is then followed by a Cup Final on Sunday. The League Cup Final against a Chelsea side that are finding their footing and just recently went toe-to-toe with Manchester City.

These two met in a physically and mentally demanding Final in 2022 that needed penalties to sort out. Even if Liverpool comes away with the trophy, that same kind of match would be damning given the current circumstances.

Jurgen Klopp is going to have to play hot potato with his Starting XI over the next few weeks.

Just a few days after the Cup Final, it's a 5th round FA Cup clash with Southampton. This brutal and important stretch of matches ends four days after this with a Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool could be out of two competitions within a week, or they could have a trophy and be in another Quarterfinal, in addition to maintaining their lead in the league.

If Klopp and the Reds can navigate this tough stretch as wounded as they are, their reward? Meeting Manchester City on March 10th in possibly the biggest Premier League match of the season.

The next few weeks are going to be an extremely telling barometer for how the next few months might go. Start them with some wins and silverware and injuries or not, this club will be buzzing and could kick on.

Football at the highest level is played within the finest of margins. Right now, with fitness issues, mental tests weekly and a bloated schedule, Liverpool are dancing a fine line.

Here's hoping they keep their balance for just a while longer.