---
title: "Jurgen Klopp confirms midfield duo are ‘much closer’ to selection"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/jurgen-klopp-confirms-midfield-duo-are-much-closer-to-selection/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-08-20T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-20T16:00:00Z"
---

# Jurgen Klopp confirms midfield duo are ‘much closer’ to selection

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/20/ian-rush-claims-current-liverpool-squad-can-win-the-premier-league/) manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed midfield duo Thiago and [Jordan Henderson](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/16/virals-liverpool-reach-agreement-in-principle-with-jordan-henderson/) are ‘much closer’ to being fully fit for selection.

The pair returned late to [pre-season training](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-injury-henderson-thiago-21294697) following their exertions during the summer at the European Championships.

Both stars were left out of the [matchday squad](https://www.skysports.com/football/norwich-city-vs-liverpool/teams/446295) last weekend as the Reds began the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Norwich City.

That could be set to all chance, however, as [Liverpool welcome Burnley](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440932-liverpool-burnley-how-to-watch-live-follow-game) to Anfield for a lunchtime kickoff on Saturday.

Speaking during the [pre-match press conference](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/441067-watch-jurgen-klopp-pre-burnley-press-conference), as cited by [Paul Gorst](https://twitter.com/ptgorst/status/1428673839941181442) on Twitter, Klopp was optimistic about the duo’s chances.

> Twitter: Klopp on Thiago/Henderson: “Much closer, they look fine and we have to make the decision. It was a good training we… https://t.co/l1kQWFm8Zj (@ptgorst)

Meanwhile, the German boss was [coy](https://twitter.com/ptgorst/status/1428673700551925761) regarding the involvement of another midfielder, Fabinho, following the sad passing of the Brazilian’s father this week.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

One of the main issues last season was an inability to field the [strongest XI](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-strongest-line-up-premier-21298831) at any point during the season.

Regarded as the strongest midfield trio by many, Thiago, Fabinho and Henderson only played together on [one occasion](https://www.premierleague.com/match/58938) throughout the entire 2020/21 campaign.

Albeit perhaps not as soon as this weekend owing to Fabinho’s wholly understandable potential absence, Kopites will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to field full-strength lineups in the near future.