Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the Merseyside derby against Everton with a hip injury as he is set for an extended period on the sidelines.
There is no timescale for the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona playmaker after he was forced to miss training this week through the problem. As a result, he adds to the injury problems hampering Jurgen Klopp's selection options as Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz who are among the absentees.
The Reds were handed a boost this week as the Dutchman, Roberto Firmino, Arthur Melo and Diogo Jota took part in first-team training for the first time since their respective injuries.
READ MORE: Liverpool predicted line-up against Everton as defender dropped and Diogo Jota decision made
READ MORE: Will Spearman handed key role at Liverpool after major changes in recruitment team
Below, we have taken a look at Liverpool’s current injury list and the possible expected return dates for each absentee.
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago has been ever present since the resumption of the Premier League following the World Cup as Liverpool have tinkered with their midfield in a bid to turn around their form.
They will now be forced to make a change with the 31-year-old out of the squad indefinitely. It will be the second time that the Reds will be without the Spanish maestro after he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of five matches at the start of the season.
Today, the ECHO was told that there is no timescale on the issue as it needs time to settle down.
Speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby, Klopp admitted it was a race against time for him to be fit in time for Monday's encounter with their rivals.
"Thiago has some problems. I know the problem but I have to ask if I am allowed to say about it! Hip flexor, stuff like this. So he was not able to train.
"The players are back in training in different stages. Diogo is the closest. He trains now normal already for two days so another three days of training possible for him and then I think he is in contention for the squad I would say, but we have to wait a little bit."
Expected return date: Unknown
Ibrahima Konate
Konate sustained a hamstring injury during the FA Cup defeat against Brighton which resulted in his absence for the drubbing against Wolves. The World Cup finalist is expected to miss this Monday's clash and could also be in doubt for the visit of Real Madrid on February 21.
Offering an update on the Frenchman, Klopp said: It is a muscle injury. He didn't think it was massive. It happened in the game and I asked him 'Are you OK?' He said 'Yeah, I'm OK'. Then, after the game, treatment and scan - bam! Out."
Expected return date: February
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is edging closer to a return from injury as he continues to recover from a muscle injury. The defender was forced off during the defeat to Brentford at the turn of the year and has played no part since.
This week, he returned to first-team training but it still remains to be seen when he will be in the starting line-up.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Everton, he said: "Virgil I don't think is that close already but we will work on that as well. Arthur is probably similar to Bobby I would say."
Expected return date: February
Luis Diaz
The absence of Luis Diaz has added to Liverpool's attacking woes after he suffered a setback in his recovery from an injury he suffered against Arsenal in October.
The blow came during the training camp in Dubai with Liverpool while the World Cup was ongoing and as a result, he required surgery. This week, the Colombian has expressed his ambitions to be fit to play a part in their Champions League knockout encounter with Real Madrid.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Let's wait [for] a little to see when I can come back to the pitch, and if it's the Bernabeu it will be no problem," before adding there is hope to be "back soon".
Expected return date: March
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota made his much-anticipated return to training this week in preparation for the visit of Everton.
He has been sidelined through a serious calf issue which occurred in the latter stages of their win over Manchester City in October.
The injury forced Jota to miss the World Cup as Portugal exited in the last eight.
This week, he broke his silence on the return to the training pitch and in his press conference Klopp admitted he is the "closest".
He said: "Diogo is the closest. He trains now normal already for two days so another three days of training possible for him and then I think he is in contention for the squad I would say, but we have to wait a little bit."
Expected return date: February
Roberto Firmino
Question marks still remain over Roberto Firmino's fitness but he made positive strides this week as he featured in the warm-ups with the squad.
The Brazilian has not featured for Liverpool since before the World Cup break after suffering a muscle injury. The issue kept him out of the Carabao Cup clash against Man City in December but he has not played since.
Firmino was again pictured in the preparations but featured more heavily as he returned with Virgil van Dijk. Speaking on his fitness, Jurgen Klopp said: "Bobby, we have to see how that looks, how he deals with training intensity and stuff like this. Then we make a decision."
Expected return date: February
Arthur Melo
Arthur Melo provided another boost for Liverpool this week as he was one of the returnees to first-team training. He has been sidelined since suffering from a muscle injury in October, and is still yet to return to training.
Since signing on loan from Juventus, Arthur has played just 13 minutes for the Reds, which came as a substitute away at Napoli in the Champions League.
"Bobby, we have to see how that looks, how he deals with training intensity and stuff like this. Then we make a decision.
"Virgil I don't think is that close already but we will work on that as well. Arthur is probably similar to Bobby I would say," Klopp said.
Expected return date: February
READ NEXT:
- Philippe Coutinho shows how FSG transfer policy is failing Liverpool
- Alisson Becker has identified clear Liverpool problem that four players can solve
- Diogo Jota has biggest point to prove to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp after year to forget
- Jurgen Klopp names six things Liverpool now have and makes Everton 'problems' admission
- Luis Diaz names Liverpool game he hopes to return for after injury update
