Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on Naby Keita‘s hamstring injury, with the Guinean set to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Huddersfield Town.
The Reds saw 19 first-team players depart on international duty during this month’s break, but four returned early after suffering fitness issues.
Virgil van Dijk (ribs) and Mohamed Salah (groin) arrived back on Merseyside as a precaution, and have since been passed fit to take part, while James Milner (hamstring) also trained on Thursday.
But Keita, who was carried off the field halfway through Guinea’s 1-1 draw with Rwanda, and Mane, who required minor surgery on his thumb after joining the Senegal squad, were less fortunate.
Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to the John Smith’s Stadium, the manager provided a mixed update, with Keita a certainty to miss out but no mention of Mane definitely being unavailable.
“We had yesterday’s session, where a few of the boys trained. We have to see how they reacted after that,” Klopp told reporters.
“The only thing that’s pretty sure is that Naby will not be available.
“With all of the rest we have to see how it develops. That’s it, pretty much.”
It has to be seen as positive that Keita is the only player ruled out for certain, with the outlook appearing bleaker earlier in the week.
Klopp has plenty of options at his disposal this weekend, as the Reds look to remain unbeaten, and most importantly, pick up three points at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Someone who has an outside chance of starting is Adam Lallana—a player who has struggled for consistent fitness in recent seasons.
Klopp has long been an admirer of the 30-year-old and he spoke about having him back in the fold.
“Hopefully nobody forgot how good he was before his little injury,” he added.
“Now he’s extremely close to the team, but we have to make sure how we can bring him in. He will play first-team football for Liverpool again, that’s the best news.
“When we will start, we will see. But he’s a proper option again, that’s good.”
It seems unlikely Lallana will start against Huddersfield, with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge options if Klopp makes changes.
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