Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Luis Diaz will not be part of Liverpool's squad to face Manchester City on Saturday despite making a return to first-team training this week.
The Colombian has not played for the Reds since suffering a serious knee injury in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal on October 9 and later suffered a relapse in his rehabilitation during the club's mid-season training camp in Dubai.
After progressing with his return to fitness during the international break as he trained with the Reds' young academy stars, Diaz made his long-awaited return to first-team training on Thursday afternoon.
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However, the Liverpool boss has confirmed the 26-year-old will not be part of the squad that travels to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, with the forward more likely to make his return when Arsenal visit Anfield on Easter weekend.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Klopp said: "Luis is back in small parts of training after a very long long time out. It's fantastic to have him back - a real energiser. He will not train today with us. This week was the first step back into team training.
"Next week we will increase, then he is ready I think. But we are really positive."
Elsewhere, the Reds will be boosted by the news of Darwin Nunez's return after the Uruguayan managed to shake off an ankle injury he sustained when Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid on March 15.
As a result of the niggle, the 23-year-old withdrew from Uruguay's squad for their fixtures against South Korea and Japan and instead remained on Merseyside to enhance his chances of being fit for the Reds' visit to East Manchester.
Providing an update on the No.27's fitness, Klopp added: "Darwin [Nunez] couldn't train for two or three days this week because of a cut he got on his foot, but he could yesterday and is back in contention"
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