Jurgen Klopp provides big update on Thiago return; hails Firmino after ‘special’ Liverpool moment

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed when Thiago Alcantara will be back in training, while also praising Roberto Firmino for reaching 100 goals for the Reds.

Liverpool have gone through a bit of a midfield crisis recently. Alongside Thiago, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson have all picked up injuries.

This has forced the club to go into the transfer market and sign Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo on a season-loan loan from Juventus.

The Italian club state Liverpool have the option to make this permanent at the end of the season for £32.3million (€37.5m), which would be payable over two years.

However, Liverpool probably won’t do this as they are eyeing up Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham as a long-term midfield solution.

The Reds come up against rivals Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. Ahead of the game, Klopp was asked to give an injury update on his squad (via Liverpool Echo).

He began by talking about French centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who is yet to play for Liverpool this term. “It’s a muscle injury and he’ll be out for a while. Ox the same. Kelleher is getting closer and closer. It was something to do with age and growing.”

However, there is good news when it comes to Thiago. Klopp says he could return to Liverpool training as early as Monday.

Thiago ‘closest’ to returning – Jurgen Klopp

“Thiago is the closest of them all. I think at the start of next week he will be in team training,” the German revealed.

Klopp also praised Firmino for his electric form amid Diogo Jota’s injury and Darwin Nunez’s suspension.

Firmino managed three goals and goals assists as Liverpool thrashed Bournemouth 9-0 and just about overcame Newcastle 2-1 in their last two matches.

This saw the Brazilian go over the 100-goal milestone for Liverpool, a feat which has also been achieved by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

Klopp believes this is ‘pretty special’ for Firmino. “The timing was perfect (for his goals),” he said. “I liked a lot of the [Manchester] United game even if not a lot of people agreed with me on that, then obviously Bournemouth and now.

“[Firmino’s] really important for the way we play. He has reached 100 goals which is pretty special. We got him a shirt with 100 on it. The applause for him was almost as loud as the goal we scored against Newcastle for 2-1.”

At his pre-match press conference, Klopp also spoke about Arthur’s arrival and the return of Jota.

On Arthur, the former Dortmund boss said: “I’m really happy about his transfer. My information is it won’t happen until tomorrow, international clearance.

“He is the best age for a footballer. He can give rhythm, he is a really good passer. He’s really good in tight areas. I like it a lot.”

On Jota, Klopp continued: “Diogo will probably be in (tomorrow). He trained yesterday for the first time and will today.”