Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are all nearing returns from injury for Liverpool.
Liverpool take on Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend and will again be without the services of the influential trio at Old Trafford.
However, Klopp has provided a positive update on his absent names and confirmed Jones should be fit to return when Liverpool take on Brighton after the international break.
The German also said that Alexander-Arnold and Jota are a ‘chance’ to return in the following fixture as the Reds look regain options ahead of the Premier League run-in.
Asked who could return after the international break, Klopp told a pre-match press conference: “Curtis Jones. The other two, Diogo [Jota] and Trent [Alexander-Arnold], for the week after, a chance.
“Stefan Bajcetic is pretty much now in his pre-season to get him ready physically ready. The moment feels something but it’s not injuries, it’s intensity. He is a young lad and we don’t want to use him before he’s really ready.
“What happened before was his body was not 100% ready for the intensity. He is in a much better place now but we have to wait a little bit. After his ‘pre-season’ he will be part of team training after the international break.”
One player who has impressed with increased minutes this season is Joe Gomez, who earned a recall to the England squad on Thursday three-and-a-half years after his last cap.
“I don’t think I had a lot of influence. It wasn’t necessary. Joey deserves it, obviously. Absolutely. The season he plays so far he has been exceptional,” Klopp said.
“He plays a lot of time with the kids and we would definitely not be where we are at the moment without him. He has played so many different positions.
“I saw in his face he was very happy about it as well. Good news. Now let’s play the game, hopefully he comes back healthy and he can play the rest of the season.”
Klopp also reacted to Friday’s Europa League draw, with Liverpool set to take on Italian side Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
“Tricky. I have never played there. Super coach. Pretty similar structure [to before] and it means a very uncomfortable [opponent] to play against. It’s quarter-final so you don’t expect any easy opponents. Very interesting and I am really looking forward to it. Let’s see what we can do. I have a lot of respect for what Atalanta are doing in the last few years. Very consistent team.”
