Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given the supporters an update on the fitness of midfielder Naby Keita ahead of the Champions League final.
The central midfielder picked up an injury in his side’s first-leg tie with Barcelona and has not featured in a Liverpool shirt since the club suggested that he would be out for the rest of the season.
Despite his on-going injury, Keita has travelled with his team to Marbella as Liverpool prepare for their battle with Tottenham for European glory.
Jurgen Klopp spoke to the official Liverpool website and gave an update on the midfielder’s progress and it looks like Keita has a slim chance of appearing in the final.
Naby is, I would say, a bit ahead of schedule, but that doesn’t mean anything for the final. He is now doing straight runs and all of that stuff, he feels comfortable with 50 per cent intensity and these things – but there is still a way to go.
The Guinean international will be wanting to recover by the time the Africa Cup of Nations comes round this summer but Klopp insists if Keita is fit enough then he will feature in the Champions League final.
Klopp continued:
I know the issues with Guinea and stuff like that; we don’t want to keep a player out if he can play – maybe they think it is like this, but it is not like this. For me, it would be good if Naby would be 100 per cent fit and could play the Africa Cup of Nations, to be 100 per cent honest.
But we don’t know, we will see, and we need to work together with their medical department because in the end, a player who is fit – from my point of view – who can play, should play for his country.
If he is not 100 per cent fit, he cannot play. That’s how it is. Its not important whether you play for your country or your club. That’s what we try to make sure. It looks good, very positive and we will see if their is a chance.
