The recovery of Thiago Alcantara for Liverpool has experienced a setback, according to Jurgen Klopp. Due to a hip ailment that necessitated surgery, the midfielder hasn’t played for the Reds since April. Although this season has not seen Thiago named to a matchday squad, he did briefly return to team training.
However, the 32-year-old was not there when the Reds returned to the AXA Training Centre this week in preparation for Aston Villa’s visit to Anfield. However, Curtis Jones has rejoined the team. Stefan Bajcetic has increased his training to maximum intensity. But Liverpool is still waiting for Thiago.
Thiago will not be present in the Liverpool line up against Aston Villa
When Liverpool welcomes Aston Villa to Anfield on Sunday, the 32-year-old will once again be excluded from the action. Curtis Jones, who has been out with an ankle injury, is getting closer to playing again. But Thiago won’t be back for Liverpool until after the international break, which is later this month, according to Jurgen Klopp at his pre-game news conference.
Klopp said:
“Curtis is back in training fully, Thiago not. Thiago had a little setback, started training with the team then had a setback so we had to slow down a little bit. It’s not cool for him, it’s not cool for us but it’s how it is. Thiago will use the international break to get up to speed I’m pretty sure. That should hopefully be enough.”
Following his absence from last week’s thrilling 2-1 triumph over Newcastle United, Ibrahima Konate will miss a second consecutive match for Liverpool. At St. James’ Park, Virgil van Dijk was shown a red card during the opening period and was later suspended.
Ryan Gravenberch, a 21-year-old midfielder, has further lowered the average age of Klopp’s midfield. Thiago and Wataru Endo are the only midfielders in Liverpool’s lineup older than 30.
It is getting harder to envision Thiago playing a significant role in the Liverpool lineup between now and the end of the season because his contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
For more sports updates, follow us on Twitter.
