Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided updates on his injured players and has also shared his thoughts on the imminent return of fans to Anfield in the coming days.
The German coach who was on his pre-match press conference duties for his side’s Champions League clash against Ajax gave a lowdown on the situation of his squad.
When asked about LFC summer signing Thiago Alcantara, the manager confirmed that the midfielder is still working his way back to full fitness and expects to be without his services for a ‘few weeks still’.
He told reporters; “Thiago, we have to maybe clarify it a little.
“On that day when Thiago got injured in that challenge in the Everton game, there was another bad injury [to Virgil van Dijk] and after the scans, it was like one was really bad news and the other one was really good news because nothing was broken, nothing was ruptured and stuff like this.
“But, as we realise now, it was still a massive impact on the knee.
“It is not massive, and he trains from time to time. I can’t say exactly when he will be fine, but it will take a few weeks still with Thiago.”
When asked about the situation with long-term absentee Virgil van Dijk, who was initially ruled out for the season, the manager said:
“Considering the current circumstances, he is doing really well.
“Yes, of course, we are in contact.
“He is doing really well, but his knee doesn’t look good.
“[But] it looks good for a knee that has had surgery. He is doing well.
On fans coming back to the stadium after a long time out, the manager said:
“I am happy for the 2,000 lucky ones who get to experience live football again. It’s really not about us or the advantage we have with that or disadvantage. It’s a nice sign that these things are possible and I hope it is just the first step.”
Liverpool will take on Ajax on Tuesday with a chance to qualify for the round of 16.
