Setback: James Milner felt a hamstring problem during Liverpool’s defeat by former club Man City
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp is hopeful over James Milner’s fitness after the Liverpool midfielder was forced off during Thursday’s Carabao Cup thriller against Manchester City.
The vastly-experienced 36-year-old started at right-back for the last-16 tie at his former Etihad Stadium stomping ground, struggling at times defensively but also laying on the assist for Fabio Carvalho’s first-half equaliser in a breathless 3-2 defeat down the M62.
However, Milner’s evening was ended prematurely after only 38 minutes due to injury, with the ex-England international making way for Nat Phillips before the interval.
Klopp confirmed after the match that one of his most trusted lieutenants had felt a hamstring issue amid a frenetic pace in both clubs’ first competitive game back after the World Cup break, but did not believe it was anything serious at this stage.
“Millie felt something in the hamstring,” he told Sky Sports. “We still hope it is not an injury, but we will see. He felt something, but after 30 years in the business he said, ‘I don’t think it’s a lot’ so we will see.”
Liverpool brought Jordan Henderson off the bench against City, whose own England World Cup stars in John Stones, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish also came on after half-time, with Kyle Walker an unused substitute.
The one player from Gareth Southgate’s Qatar contingent not involved was Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Klopp revealing that he was suffering from an illness that had also been affecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was fit enough to come on at half-time at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk trained as anticipated at Kirkby on Thursday after returning from a post-World Cup break and should be available for the Premier League restart against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
The same is also true of goalkeeper Alisson, whose fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino missed the defeat at City with a calf issue sustained in training this week.
“We thought Trent was available but then he got ill, so that is what we have to wait for,” Klopp added.
“Virgil trained today [and] yesterday completely normal and should be ready for Monday, but we have to see who gets the virus until then.”
Addressing Firmino’s absence ahead of the game, Klopp said: “We play mainly with the players who could do all the sessions now and had a break – apart from Bobby, who unfortunately got injured two days ago in training.
“Not a big one but big enough for this period. That’s why Darwin [Nunez] is now starting. He could’ve started anyway but Darwin is starting now.”
Liverpool are already without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo due to injury, with Curtis Jones expected back to fitness soon.
