Liverpool face Everton in the Premier League this weekend and before the game, Jurgen Klopp has delivered a mixed injury update.
Midfielder Naby Keita has been on the sidelines since the second week of December but the 26-year-old is in contention to feature against the Toffees at Anfield.
But all was not good news from the manager since Fabinho is still ruled out with a muscle issue and the Brazilian will not be fit in time for the derby.
Klopp told his pre-match press conference: “Naby trained yesterday with the team, so we have to see what we make of it.
“He could have been in the squad v Leipzig but it didn’t make sense. So he stayed home and trained but he got ill and couldn’t train until yesterday. We don’t hold him back or force him in. It would be nice to have him.
“Fab was not in training, all the others not as well. Nothing new.
“They all get closer – Fab gets closer, Millie gets closer and Diogo gets closer, but not close enough for the weekend.”
The return of Naby Keita will be great news for Jurgen Klopp especially since James Milner is still missing with a thigh injury.
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But having returned from injury after so long, we don’t think the manager will be eager to throw him into the starting line-up and on Saturday, the Guinean, at best, might find a place on the bench.
The absence of Fabinho though will be a big setback for the Liverpool boss but thankfully, Ozan Kabak is up and running so the January signing will partner Jordan Henderson in central defence on Saturday.
Ben Davies is also back to full fitness but Klopp will not want to hand him a debut during such a key encounter.
Thiago and Wijnaldum will be partnered by Cutis Jones in midfield and if Liverpool can wrap up the game early enough then Naby Keita might be given some game time by Klopp, towards the end of the match.
