Liverpool assistant manager Pep Ljinders has shared an injury update ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City.
Taking to his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman revealed the Reds have received a major boost regarding Joel Matip and Naby Keita.
“Then Joel and Naby are in full team training – it’s good,” Lijnders said.
“Curtis [Jones] is one week away from team training and Diogo [Jota] is inside the timeframe we think.
“So, it’s going well, he [Jota] was there in Dubai – he was in all the meetings and video meetings. That was good.
“And of course, Luis Diaz is not available and that’s it.”
Could see Matip and Keita vs City
Jurgen Klopp will be considering unleashing a number of youth stars to take on the Sky Blues tomorrow.
The Liverpool boss was particularly impressed with Ben Doak, Bobby Clarke, Stefan Bajcetic and Melkamu Frauendorf after his side scored four goals past AC Milan in their last mid-season friendly.
Without the likes of Arthur Melo, Diaz and Jota due to injury, Klopp will have big decision to make regarding his senior players.
Ibrahima Konate will be unavailable following France’s World Cup final defeat. Furthermore, there will be question marks surrounding players returning from Qatar, including Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson.
Therefore, Matip and Keita getting back to full fitness will come as a major boost to the Merseyside outfit.
They will likely feature in the starting XI tomorrow, with the vast majority of the team filled by players who remained with Liverpool over the break.
