Liverpool are still waiting on the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister as the injury list continues to grow ahead of Monday’s game with Newcastle United.
The midfielder has been targeting a return for the New Year’s Day clash but will be closely assessed in the days ahead as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Advertisement
Jurgen Klopp says he was hopeful on Mac Allister but that it is too soon to predict whether he will feature.
Liverpool are already low on numbers, especially in defence, and will be supported by some of the club’s brightest youngsters in the weeks ahead.
With Kostas Tsimikas (broken collarbone) joining Andy Robertson (shoulder) on the sidelines, there is a particular shortage at left-back and Klopp has already stressed how Joe Gomez cannot play every minute, so Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon may be called upon if needed.
Tsimikas will be out for a long period alongside centre-half Joel Matip and Robertson is not due back until at least the end of January.
“Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder,” Klopp said.
“He’s still not even close to team training. There’s a long way to go for sure, but I think for January he will get closer and closer.
“As for Macca we will see what he can do today if he can step into team training or not.”
Midfielders Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are no closer to returning either, with Klopp saying: “Thiago is in a good moment but we have to make sure we don’t use him too soon.
“He could have easily trained but it’s all about how he can be back in the long term and that’s what we’re working on.
“With Stefan we have to be sensible. It’s because of his growth, we have to be careful. For example he could train tomorrow fully, and then tomorrow, but then not for four or five weeks. It’s a medical decision and that’s what makes it annoying for him.”
Monday’s game against Newcastle will also be Mo Salah’s final outing before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Wataru Endo is due to represent Japan in the Asian Cup.
Asked if he has a plan for up to seven games without Salah, Klopp added: “Each long term plan I could have had depends massively on who is available
“It’s not the first time that we have lost Mo. We had it before when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left and usually at least one of those went very far in the competition, and we recovered.
“We knew it was coming so we have to deal with it and we will.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
