Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided a fitness update regarding four Reds players ahead of Monday night’s Premier League clash with Arsenal while also declaring that Thiago Alcantara is ‘in contention for sure’ to start.
Joe Gomez is set to rejoin his teammates in training today following a minor injury last week which saw the 23-year-old defender miss both Liverpool’s recent matches with Chelsea and Lincoln City.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip is still sidelined and won’t be back in contention until after the international break in October.
Billy Koumetio, however, is back in training with the squad after a fitness assessment on Wednesday deemed the 17-year-old defender unavailable for yesterday’s 7-2 victory against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Jorginho of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 20, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Club-captain Jordan Henderson represents the major setback for Liverpool after Klopp confirmed the skipper isn’t ready to rejoin his teammates in training while the Monday clash at Arsenal is ‘too early’ for the 30-year-old to feature.
Speaking during his Friday afternoon press conference, Klopp said:”Joe [Gomez] should be back today in training, Billy the Kid [Koumetio] is back in training, Joel [Matip] is not, Hendo [Henderson] is not yet either as this game is, for sure, too early.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 20, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Dunham – Pool/Getty Images)
The other fitness area of intrigue among the media was with new £25 million [BBC] signing Thiago, who clocked up 45 minutes of PL action against Chelsea but wasn’t with the squad yesterday vs Lincoln.
Klopp confirmed that the Spanish international is ‘in contention’ to make his full Premier League debut at Anfield against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners who also have won both of their opening league matches this season.
“We will see,” was Klopp’s verdict when asked if the former Barcelona maestro would start in three days time.
“We have a few days to train and some boys have to recover from last night so we will see how we set up against Arsenal.
“I have an idea, but why should I make a decision today when we have until Monday?
“He is in contention for sure. Let’s see.”
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