Jurgen Klopp has explained the dramatic early-morning hospital dash that ultimately ruled Thiago Alcantara out of Liverpool’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.
But the Reds boss is confident Darwin Nunez will return for the Champions League trip to Ajax on Wednesday.
Thiago had been slated to start in central midfield at Forest on Saturday only to withdraw having contracted an ear infection during the night.
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In his absence, Liverpool slumped to a 1-0 loss to the rock-bottom East Midlands side with former Reds striker Taiwo Awoniyi scoring the only goal shortly after half-time.
And Klopp said: “Thiago got this last night, a bad ear infection. There was no chance for him to do anything. We drove him home.
“The decision was taken at 5.15am. He woke up in the middle of the night and had the problem. I woke up an hour later, but the decision was taken the moment he woke up and the doctor went there and they went to the hospital.
“It didn’t work out, though. Yes, he was in that much pain he had to go to the hospital.”
Nunez was also absent with the tight hamstring that forced him off having scored the winner in the midweek home triumph over West Ham United.
But the Reds boss is hopeful the striker can return for the Ajax game with Ibrahima Konate, out for the last fortnight with an adductor problem, set to resume training on Sunday.
“Darwin should be back,” said Klopp. “This (Forest) game was just too early, having another day recovery would have helped him, but we played today. At least that’s my knowledge at the moment.
“Ibou will train from Sunday on and Naby (Keita) as well, but Naby is far off. He starts training after a long period.”
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