Klopp provides double Liverpool fitness boost; updates on Alisson, Ox

Thiago Alcantara

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Thiago Alcantara’s fitness will be assessed ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax, while Naby Keita could be involved.

Thiago suffered ‘a proper knock’ in the closing stages of Saturday’s Merseyside derby draw and will have further checks ahead of the Group D opener.

Speaking about the Spaniard before the clash against the Dutch giants, Klopp told the club’s official website: “So, yes, he got a knock, a proper knock.

“All the rest, we have to see. It’s not even close to being as serious [as Virgil van Dijk]. But will he be ready for Wednesday? I don’t know yet. We will see.”


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Keita, meanwhile, is back at Melwood after receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. He has been cleared to begin training and playing again and should feature in Amsterdam.

The Reds chief also provided updates on the recoveries of Alisson Becker and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Alisson and Ox on the mend

“All good, really good,” he said of the trio.

“Naby trained yesterday, so that’s very positive. Oxlade is obviously in a long-term rehab, but looks good and is in a good mood usually. Ali looks very good. We have to see; catching balls and stuff like this is all possible. But we cannot rush it and will not rush it.

 

“Actually, it’s a common thing every day when I see Ali, I say: ‘How was it today?’ He always with a big smile tells me of the slight improvements. Today I didn’t see him [yet], so I can’t wait to ask for his progress!”

On Keita specifically, Klopp added: “We are still learning, we are all learning about these kind of things when a boy is completely without symptoms, which Naby was.

“He looked very good yesterday in training, to be honest. But I don’t know how he looks today, how he reacted. That’s much more important then. So, we will see.

“In the moment, I would probably rather expect him to be involved but I don’t know it.”

 

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp says as soon as he saw the replay of Virgil van Dijk’s injury he knew it would be bad.