Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Saturday, December 10.
Diaz injury latest
Liverpool are still awaiting the results of a formal assessment of Luis Diaz's knee injury but could reportedly be without the winger until March.
The Colombia international was part of the 33-man squad that flew to Dubai for the Reds' mid-season training programme this week and was poised to make his comeback in Sunday's friendly against Lyon after returning to full training. However, Diaz was dispatched back to Merseyside on Friday after complaining of discomfort in his knee and will play no part in either this weekend's game or the clash with AC Milan on December 16.
READ MORE: Liverpool news and transfers LIVE - Luis Diaz surgery, Roberto Firmino contract, England build-up
READ MORE: Liverpool handed triple World Cup boost but Jurgen Klopp has difficult choice he must get right
“It’s all good [fitness-wise] with the boys who are here," Jurgen Klopp said on Friday at the club's Dubai base. “What’s not good is we have to see with Lucho (Diaz). He felt something and we need to have further assessment there, but apart from that they all look really, really good.”
Reports in Colombia emerged on Friday that night Diaz will need surgery on the issue, which would sideline the former Porto winger until March. It's understood the club are still waiting for an official outcome on their checks but they are likely braced for a second significant lay-off of their winger's campaign.
Fabinho snubbed as Brazil out
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was left as an unused substitute as Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia on Friday evening.
No goals were scored in the 90 minutes, but Neymar gave Brazil the lead in extra-time as he equalled Pele to become the joint all-time top goalscorer before Bruno Petkovic equalised with minutes to go. Brazil boss Tite opted to bring on Manchester United midfielder Fred instead of Fabinho when trying to protect a delicate 1-0 lead deep into extra-time.
The 61-year-old's reluctance to introduce Fabinho once again raised the question as to whether the Reds man is fully appreciated by his national team - but while it did frustrate many a Liverpool fan, it will have come as no surprise to Jurgen Klopp.
The Liverpool boss spoke of his confusion over Tite's use of Fabinho back in 2020, having been asked about an injury picked up by the midfielder. "I'm not sure if Tite's too worried because he plays him never so he will probably now not sit on the bench for the next three international games," Klopp said.
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