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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Liverpool injury latest with potential returns

Liverpool are back in Premier League action tomorrow afternoon as West Ham United make the trip to Anfield.

The Reds will be eager to take maximum points off David Moyes' side, in what could prove to be a pivotal weekend in the title race as Manchester City prepare to host Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp briefly enjoyed the luxury of having a fully fit squad at his disposal, though this is sadly no longer the case for the German.

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Here is a round-up of Liverpool 's latest fitness concerns and what the Reds' boss has had to say ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Hammers.

Roberto Firmino

The Brazilian replaced Diogo Jota as a half-time substitute away to Inter Milan and scored the opening goal at the San Siro.

Going on to secure a 2-0 win, Firmino played a crucial role in helping to put Liverpool in a strong position to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals.

But the forward was absent against Norwich just a few days later, having felt a muscle injury after the game.

He is now edging closer to making his first-team comeback and is set to resume training this weekend.

"Bobby is looking good but not good enough for the weekend," stated Klopp.

"I think the plan is that he trains on Sunday, first time. That sounds then doable for Tuesday."

Thiago

The Spanish midfielder sustained an injury in the warm-up ahead of last Sunday's Carabao Cup final and has since remained sidelined.

Liverpool will be eager to welcome back the former Bayern Munich man sooner rather than later, but the wait for his return goes on for now.

Issuing an update on the 30-year-old, Klopp told reporters: “I'm pretty sure that nobody will tell me differently because yesterday he didn't train, Thiago will not be available for tomorrow."

Joel Matip

Matip was on the bench for Liverpool's win in midweek but will play no part in Saturday's fixture due to illness.

The Cameroonian defender has been involved in all but five Premier League appearances this campaign, though will be an absentee this weekend.

“Joel Matip is ill – no COVID, nowadays you can be ill in different ways as well – so he will not be available," confirmed the Liverpool boss.

Naby Keita

Keita was not in the Reds' squad to face the Canaries and will be assessed ahead of tomorrow's encounter at Anfield. The issue he is contending with is unknown at this stage.

"All of a sudden, we played a tough game midweek, all these kind of things, so we still wait a little bit for who is how in which moment. So from eight midfielders – Naby we don’t know – to four midfielders in a week, that can happen easily," said Klopp.

Curtis Jones

The 21-year-old was taken off at half-time during Wednesday's win over Norwich as a precaution, having felt discomfort in his thigh.

Jones remains doubtful to face West Ham and could be set to sit this match out, with his availability still up in the air.

“Curtis is not bad but if it is good enough to go again tomorrow, I don't know," admitted Klopp.

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