Klopp Gives Injury Updates Ahead of Crystal Palace Clash

While Virgil van Dijk’s recent return to the team has been a welcome addition, there are still several key players who have been forced to the sidelines. Before the key match against Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, manager Jürgen Klopp gave a brief update on the progress of some of his players.

The best news is that Ibrahima Konaté has returned to training after four weeks away. While that’s a boost, don’t expect the centre-back to see any action on Saturday.

“Ibou is near but [only] two sessions he had after a long injury,” Klopp explained.

The other players whose returns are eagerly anticipated include forwards Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. Both made substitute appearances midweek in the defeat to Real Madrid.

“We can see now when the boys come on that they are not at their best at the moment but they need the minutes and everything will get better, but that is exactly the situation we have,” he replied.

“We are not sure if all the boys could even play again after Madrid because of some knocks here and there.”

The boss also made a point to mention van Dijk and the fact that he is still returning to full fitness after his injury.

“Everybody expects Virgil always that he is like a robot pretty much,” Klopp defended his star centre-back, “but he played the most games last year, played the World Cup, played every game for his country, came back, from the first second played for us, got injured, comes back [and] plays, plays, plays. So, that’s the situation.”

Liverpool travel to London to take on Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace for the late match on Saturday evening.