Liverpool Handed Injury Boost As Naby Keita And Joel Matip Are Back In Full Training

 

Liverpool has been handed an injury boost with Naby Keita and Joel Matip fit enough to train ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Atalanta.

The duo have recovered from their injuries and took part in Sunday's session but Thiago was not involved as he is still struggling with a knee problem.

The manager Klopp will make a late call on whether or not to include Keita and Matip in his squad for the group game in Bergamo - but the latter's return comes as welcome news given their current injury crisis in defence.

Asked about Liverpool's current situation with injuries, the German told the club's official website: 'Naby and Joel trained yesterday with the team, full, Thiago didn't. So, that's the situation.

'I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that's good, it's better than if they don't train. But we have to see what we do with it.

'We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late.'

Liverpool are set to fly out to Italy later on Monday ahead of the game against Atalanta , who are unbeaten from their opening two Group D matches. 

Victory on Tuesday would see Liverpool put one foot into the knockout rounds and continue their perfect start to their European campaign having already recorded wins over Ajax and FC Midtjylland.

In the absence of injured duo Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk, Klopp opted for Nat Phillips to fill the void at centre-back on the weekend and he repaid his boss' faith with a man-of-the-match display in a win over West Ham.

Klopp was quick to heap praise on Phillips after the victory, describing his performance as 'incredible', but he is ineligible to play in Europe this season, with teenager Rhys Williams expected to deputise.