LFC fitness latest: Matip, Sturridge, Lallana and Moreno
Joel Matip and Daniel Sturridge remain doubts for Liverpool's trip to Arsenal on Friday, but Jürgen Klopp expects Adam Lallana to be fit after his bright cameo against AFC Bournemouth.
Centre-back Matip has missed the Reds' last five matches due to a muscular issue, while Sturridge has not played since appearing as a substitute in the 7-0 victory over Spartak Moscow a fortnight ago after suffering with a tight hamstring and illness.
Klopp is unsure whether the duo will be available for the game at Emirates Stadium, but revealed that both are closing in on returning to the fold.
“Joel Matip was back in training yesterday,” the boss told his press conference on Wednesday.
“How it is always now we have these little reactions on the last game so we need to wait a little bit, we have different players but in this moment it looks like apart from Daniel Sturridge, who is a little bit ill, or was, but he could be back, I’m not sure and the long-term [injuries].
“But Joel Matip, it’s positive. I’m not sure if he’s ready for Arsenal, but [will be] for the games coming up then, I'm pretty sure. That’s it, I think.”
Lallana made only his second appearance of the season last weekend as he came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the Reds’ 4-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.
Klopp was impressed by the midfielder’s display and confirmed he is available for the clash with Arsenal, but urged caution as he continues to work his way back to full fitness after a long-term thigh injury.
“It was aggressive! Was it 10 seconds until he had a yellow card or so?!” he replied, when asked about Lallana’s comeback against Bournemouth.
“He’s back and that’s good but he needs to collect minutes now, we will see how we manage that. He’s not ready for three games, 90 minutes in a row, but he’s ready to help us in specific moments and hopefully we can build up his match fitness step by step because that’s the only thing he’s missing now.
“But even in the few minutes when he was on the pitch, everybody could see what a player he is and yeah, it’s very good news for all of us that he is back.”
On Alberto Moreno, who sustained an ankle injury against Spartak, Klopp said: “Unfortunately he is still not even on the pitch so that could still take a few weeks.”