Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Naby Keita will be back in the Liverpool squad to face Crystal Palace on Monday.
Klopp was addressing the options to replace the injured Thiago Alcantara during his pre-match press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube.
After suggesting that The Reds won’t did into the transfer market, Klopp said that Keita will be ready to play. The manager also confirmed that Kostas Tsimikas will return to training today.
“The other solutions (for midfield) are inside the squad, we definitely have too many injuries – that is clear,” said Klopp. “Naby will be back on Monday. Kostas will train today for first time, he might be back.”
Straight shootout between Elliott and Keita
Whether or not Keita starts could depend on how much he’s trained since his illness. The good news is that with it not being an injury, he shouldn’t have missed a beat.
There is of course a slot open in the midfield on Monday evening. And more often than not last season, Keita was the third or fourth man for Klopp.
But things could also now be slightly different. Harvey Elliott has potentially jumped ahead of Keita after an eye-catching cameo from the bench last weekend.
That would mean a midfield of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Elliott. After also starting from the bench in the Community Shield win two weeks ago, Keita could possibly have to settle for the same again on Monday.
It was telling that when both Elliott and Keita were available for that win over City at the King Power Stadium, Klopp turned to the 19-year-old first.
A midfield with either player in should hopefully be enough to get The Reds past Palace at Anfield.
Both will be hoping to stay fit and available as they look to capitalise on the opening in the Liverpool eleven. Whoever starts at Anfield is more than likely who Klopp sees as the short-term replacement for Thiago.
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