Liverpool return to Premier League action for what feels like the first time in a little while this evening.
Recent weeks have been dominated by domestic cup action, with the Reds qualifying for the Carabao Cup final, as well as the FA Cup fifth round. Indeed, since the first day of the January, Liverpool have only played once more in the league.
That’s set to change tonight, as Chelsea visit Anfield. It’s due to be another big occasion in Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour, and The Athletic carry some early team news for the Reds.
After confirmation that Thiago Alcantara has now returned to training, some may have hoped for the 32-year-old to be involved against the Blues.
However, tonight’s game reportedly comes too early for Thiago. It’s claimed that Klopp won’t use his No.6 this evening, as he works to ‘build his fitness.’
Thiago set to sit out Chelsea clash
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone at all. Having only just returned from a near year-long injury lay-off, it was always unlikely that Thiago would be straight back into the side.
Nevertheless, Klopp was raving about what the Spaniard was showing in training on Monday.
“Thiago trained first time which was an incredible moment,” he said on Tuesday. “After all the months he couldn’t train, the level he trained, wow, but he needs time. Wonderful, wonderful signs for yesterday.”
Consequently, maybe there’s an outside chance of Thiago being in contention for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.
With the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and soon Wataru Endo coming back from their respective absences, Liverpool don’t need to rush Thiago by any means.
But the former Bayern Munich midfielder really is a lovely player to watch. Fans will be excited simply to see him back out there in red once again.
As things stand, it still looks likely that we’re entering into the final months of Thiago’s Liverpool career. However, an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano yesterday may have suggested that following Klopp’s exit, that is no longer a formality.
As a result, Thiago could well be playing for his Liverpool future once he is fully back. Impress, and perhaps he can convince the powers that be that they should allow him to stick around a little longer.
Time will tell whether that ends up being the case. For now, it’s just great to have him in and around the squad once more.
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