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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Malley

Firmino, Matip, Jota - Liverpool injury round-up and expected return dates

Liverpool dropped points for the second game running on Monday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Anfield in their first home game of the new campaign, with a trip to Manchester United in the north west derby next up for the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp had to operate without nine of his first team starts through injury for the visit of the Eagles, and his matters were made even worse when summer signing Darwin Nunez picked up a three-game ban following a straight red card in that game.

Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Anfield and the expected return dates for those out injured.

Roberto Firmino

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino was one of the latest names to be omitted from Liverpool ’s matchday squad through injury against Crystal Palace earlier this week after it was revealed that he had been struggling with an unspecified injury.

Firmino had started the opening weekend 2-2 draw at Fulham the previous week, but was left out altogether for the visit of the Eagles, although Klopp has since hinted that it was for precautionary reasons and expects to see him return for the trip to Old Trafford.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp said: "Bobby has trained as normal and is ready."

Roberto Firmino is expected to return for Monday's clash with Man United (Getty Images)

Did Liverpool miss Firmino against Crystal Palace? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Joel Matip

Centre back Joel Matip was also a surprise omission from the Liverpool lineup on Monday night, having started against Fulham the week before, with the defender ruled out of the tie against Crystal Palace with a groin injury.

The 31-year-old had picked up the problem in a training session last week and will once again miss out against United after being ruled out for the next two weeks, meaning that Nat Phillips could continue in the heart of the defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking on August 15, Klopp said: "[Joel] will be two weeks. We will see with that."

Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota has been out of action since picking up an injury during Liverpool's pre-season camp in Thailand last month (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota remains sidelined with a thigh injury that he picked up during the pre-season camp in Thailand in July, meaning he has failed to feature for the Reds since the end of last season.

However, after a lengthy lay-off and plenty of recovery time, there is now plenty of optimism that Jota will be able to return by the end of the month, although Monday’s trip to Old Trafford may still be too early for the Portuguese international.

In his last update on August 5, Klopp said: "Diogo, it was obviously slightly too early, or the injury was different in the first place. They are already fine, and in a few weeks, they will be back."

Thiago Alcantara

Thiago was forced off through injury during Liverpool's opening weekend draw at Fulham (Action Images via Reuters)

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara remains out of action after being hauled off after just 51 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Fulham on the opening weekend, where the Spaniard picked up a thigh injury in the capital.

Thiago is expected to be out for the next month and will play no further part until mid-September at the earliest, although he will continue to be assessed over the coming weeks. However, Klopp is hoping that he will be able to make an early comeback.

In his last update on August 6, Klopp said: "And now with Thiago, that is, of course, not good, and we will see. It looks pretty bad. He didn't look too happy."

Caoimhin Kelleher

Caoimhin Kelleher picked up a recurring injury during pre-season training last month (Getty Images)

Second choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher continues to recover from a groin injury that he picked up during June’s international break with the Republic of Ireland, which forced him out of action for the Reds ever since.

The 23-year-old picked up the injury following the 1-1 draw with Ukraine on June 14, before feeling the same problem again once he’d returned to Liverpool’s training base for pre-season. However, a return to the squad could be expected by the end of the month.

In his last update on July 29, Klopp said: "Caoimh felt something after the international game [in June]. He came back, and first training [session] felt it again. We checked it, and it was not good so I think he will be another 2-3 weeks and then he should be fine."

Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones picked up an injury following last month's Community Shield win (REUTERS)

Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones has been out of action since his small cameo in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City on July 30, with the midfielder picking up a calf injury.

It was initially thought that the severity of the injury wasn’t too bad and that Jones could be fit and ready for the trip to Fulham on the opening weekend, but it is now looking like he will be out of action until the end of the month at least as he continues his recovery.

In his last update on August 5, Klopp said: "We hope with Curtis, we caught it in the right moment; that's just how it is with young players. They have some kind of stress reactions sometimes, and then if they go over it because it's not massive pain, it could lead to something serious."

Calvin Ramsay

Calvin Ramsay is yet to feature for the Reds since joining the club this summer (Getty Images)

Liverpool’s third signing of the summer Calvin Ramsay is yet to make a single appearance for the club since joining from Aberdeen last month, with the teenager being kept out of action as the Reds opt to address an old injury issue.

It is unsure as to how long he will be kept out of first team action for, but with Carabao Cup action coming up next month, Klopp will be keen to have him available in order to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a well needed rest. However, the Scottish youngster will not be rushed.

In his last update on July 28, Klopp said: "We found a little injury which kids have when they grow. So, we have to be careful with that; that’s why he didn’t train yet."

Ibrahima Konate

Centre back Ibrahima Konate featured in Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly of the summer against Strasbourg on July 30 but was substituted after 57 minutes with a knee injury and has been ruled out of action ever since.

It was initially thought that the Frenchman’s condition wasn’t too serious and he may have been back in contention for the opening weekend trip to face Fulham, but now it is looking as though he will be out until the start of September at least.

In his last update on August 5, Klopp said: “We have to see how long it will take, but he is out for a while."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains out of action for the next two to three months after picking up yet another injury during the 2-0 friendly defeat of Crystal Palace in pre-season in Singapore on July 15.

The 28-year-old was taken off just before half-time with a thigh injury and has now been ruled out for the foreseeable future. Due to the timing of the World Cup in November, Oxlade-Chamberlain may not pull on a Liverpool shirt again until December.

In his last update on July 29, Klopp said: "It’s a serious hamstring injury, and it will take longer. But it’s a hamstring, and we all hate this word, we hate the injury, but anyway, it happens from time to time, and now Ox was the one."

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