Liverpool are back in the Champions League this week as they take on RB Leipzig in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. And Jurgen Klopp has seen the return of a number of his first-team players.
Due to all the travelling restrictions, this first leg will be played in Hungary and right before the match, midfielder Naby Keita was seen training with the first-team squad.
Keita has not played for Liverpool since the month of December and his return to full fitness will be a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp but the manager has confirmed to the press that the midfielder will not travel for the Leipzig game.
“Naby is no longer injured but he’s not fit yet,” the manager said, as per Liverpoolfc.com. “He was in training yesterday but it’s not sufficient yet.
“We will be away for two days and he will be in training; it’s better than flying with us. Of course Naby would have liked to be there when it’s against Leipzig.”
According to The Mirror, forward Divock Origi and defender Ben Davies also returned to training after having missed the weekend’s Premier League clash against Leicester City.
Origi has been recovering from a hamstring strain and he should be fit enough to feature in the matchday squad in Hungary. So with the return of Origi, we doubt if Roberto Firmino will get to play the full 90 minutes, especially if the Brazilian comes up with yet another poor performance.
Ozan Kabak made his debut for Liverpool on Saturday and the former Schalke man is going to keep his place in the starting line-up alongside make-shift centre-back Jordan Henderson.
Fabinho was one of the players who did not arrive at the AXA training centre on Monday meaning the Brazilian will not be available for selection against RB Leizpig.
Klopp would have loved to rotate his starting line-up after a series of dismal performances but with so many players out injured, the German boss has no other options but to keep relying on the same bunch of players.
