Naby Keita will be available for Liverpool when they take on Crystal Palace tomorrow, according to manager Jurgen Klopp
The Guinean was out with illness for the Community Shield and opening fixture of the season at Craven Cottage, but will likely return on Monday for the first match at Anfield of the campaign.
It is a much-needed boost for the Premier League runners-up, with several injuries in midfield limiting their options in the coming weeks.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be missing for several months after picking up a problem in pre-season, Curtis Jones will be out for at least a few more weeks, and vital midfielder Thiago Alcantara will be out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up at Fulham.
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Speaking in his press conference, Klopp confirmed that Keita will be available alongside left-back Kostas Tsimikas.
“The other solutions (for midfield) are inside the squad, we definitely have too many injuries – that is clear,” said Klopp.
“Naby will be back on Monday. Kostas will train today for first time, he might be back.”
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The 27-year-old has grown a reputation for injuries during his four year spell at Anfield, but when fit he is a great option for Klopp to utilise in midfield.
He joined for £54m from RB Leipzig back in 2018, and last season featured 35 times across all competitions, scoring once (against Manchester United in that 5-0 win).
Klopp was full of praise for Keita last campaign, too, saying he has a bright future ahead at Anfield despite entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract.
"But when Naby was fit and Naby could get some rhythm, he was always really good.”
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"Unfortunately, he could not get as much rhythm as he wished, we wished, in the past. Maybe that’s over now [touches wood] and then the future is bright for him. He is a great player, wow."
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Crystal Palace, Naby Keita
Chris Stonadge