Liverpool will reportedly be without Thiago Alcantara to face LASK later this week in their UEFA Europa League opener.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the 32-year-old is a major doubt to make the trip to Austria having not featured for Liverpool at all this season, with Thiago close to a full return to training.
The midfielder has been spotted in training at Kirkby, though Thiago is not yet working with a ball, meaning that the former Bayern Munich star could be out for a few more weeks.
Praised by Mark Lawrenson as a ‘world-class’ player, Thiago could have been an exceptional option for Liverpool to have in their squad for LASK this week.
The Europa League is a competition that the Reds are one of the early favourites for, and Thiago could had used the midweek games to build his fitness and to get back into Jurgen Klopp’s good books.
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However, this update seems to confirm that Thiago’s wait to return to full fitness will continue, with fans no doubt growing frustrated over the midfielder’s latest fitness problem.
LASK would have been dream fixture for Thiago to make Liverpool return
The Europa League will provide out-of-favour players the chance to impress Klopp ahead of Premier League fixtures the following Sunday, and Thiago missing out against LASK will be a blow.
The midfielder is in need of returning to the pitch having been out for five months now, and missing one of six Europa League games will be a blow for Thiago.
Moreover, the Spanish international missing out will provide Klopp a chance to start a rival player, with Thiago facing competition for a spot in the main starting XI already.