Liverpool have confirmed that Thiago Alcantara will miss Sunday’s Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion.
However, Jurgen Klopp added that James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri will be given a late fitness test and could return to face the Baggies at Anfield. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the manager said:
Thiago made his first steps back towards team training. He is not involved in the full session but makes good steps and after, unfortunately, the long time he is out now, we cannot and will not rush it.
The other guys are further, or closer. (Shaqiri) trained really good and (Milner), yesterday full session, today then a little bit adapted.
Thiago has been out of action with a knee injury since mid-October, missing Liverpool’s last nine Premier League games (Transfermarkt). The 29-year-old only has two appearances to his name since joining on a four-year deal from Bayern Munich in September but is nearing a return. He just won’t be rushed back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Klopp still has Milner, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones at his disposal in midfield, so there’s enough depth to cope with the absence of the Spaniard, with the Reds unbeaten domestically since he suffered that knee injury.
As for Milner, the 34-year-old missed all of December’s games due to a thigh injury but has recently returned to training. He has undergone a full session with the first team and could make the matchday squad for the first time since the draw at Brighton a month ago.
Shaqiri is in a similar boat as Milner, having also impressed in training this week, so Klopp has a selection headache against West Brom.
The Swiss winger will be short of match fitness as he hasn’t featured since early November and isn’t likely to oust regulars Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah, so he may only be fighting for Takumi Minamino’s place. Even that could be beyond him after the Japanese forward scored at Crystal Palace last week.
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It is a pity that Thiago remains sidelined but the Reds should have enough in midfield to cope without him.
Milner and Shaqiri would add welcome squad depth if they are fit enough to feature tomorrow, but with neither a regular starter even aside from their injuries, neither would be sorely missed if they don’t make it in time.
Quiz time: How much can you remember about Liverpool’s past January signings?
