Jurgen Klopp gave updates on the fitness of Philippe Coutinho and Joel Matip ahead of the FA Cup tie at home to Plymouth this weekend.
The manager gave the latest injury news at his press conference prior to Sunday’s game, with the players who picked up injuries against Sunderland unlikely to be involved in the third round clash to the League Two side.
Daniel Sturridge hasn’t trained this week and Klopp said it depends how he feels as to whether he would be involved, but the striker is likely not to be risked and used against Southampton in the League Cup semi-final in midweek instead.
On Coutinho, Klopp said the Brazilian playmaker “is in a very good way but not for the weekend,” adding that the situation was the same for centre-back Joel Matip.
James Milner will also miss the game on Sunday after coming off injured at half time against Sunderland, but the manager described him as “better” and the vice-captain could be another one who is rested for Southampton, or for the next league game against Manchester United next Sunday.
Albert Moreno will therefore start at left-back, with Klopp saying he plans to rotate his side, with an appearance for Joe Gomez also planned.
Coutinho has been out since late November when he picked up an ankle injury versus Sunderland. Klopp had previously said that the Brazilian could be back for the Manchester City game at the earliest, but he failed to make that, or the Sunderland game after it.
Matip has also been suffering with a troublesome ankle injury which he suffered around the same time Coutinho picked up his.
The Cameroonian centre back returned for the West Ham game in December, but the injury flared up again and he’s been our of action since.
The defender will not be joining up with his country for the African Cup of nations this month, so Liverpool will hope to get him, and number of other first team players back for important Premier League games against Manchester United and Chelsea.
On the whole, it’s good news with the quartet of players all looking likely to be in full training ahead of the Southampton match, with Klopp having plenty of options available for Plymouth in the meantime.
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