Liverpool face rivals Everton on Monday night before travelling to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park and Jurgen Klopp has given an injury update.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has cast doubt over Thiago Alcantara’s availability for the clash with Newcastle United with the playmaker seemingly ruled out of the Merseyside derby. The Reds host Everton on Monday night, before travelling to face the Magpies at St James’ Park on February 18.
Klopp’s side are in the midst of a dismal run of form, and were thrashed by Wolves in their most recent outing. However, Liverpool remain the only side to defeat Eddie Howe’s team in a top-flight fixture this term, with Fabio Carvalho netting a controversial injury-time winner at Anfield in August.
Virgil van Dijk could be in line for a comeback ahead of the trip to Tyneside, while Roberto Firmino is also nearing a return. However, Klopp confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that Thiago has been absent from training.
He told reporters: “Yeah, Thiago has some problems. I know the problems, but I have to ask the medical department what I am allowed to say about it. Hip flexor, stuff like this, that’s it pretty much. He wasn’t able to train.”
Liverpool currently sit tenth in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of Newcastle in the race for the top four. The Reds are currently without a number of attackers due to injury, although Diogo Jota could be in line to feature in Monday night’s televised encounter.
When asked for an injury update, Klopp added: “Diogo is the closest, he trains now normal already for two days, so another three days (of) training is possible for him. I think he is in contention for the squad, I would say, but we have to wait a little bit.”
