Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Naby Keita and two other Liverpool stars are on the cusp of a return to training - but the Reds chief refused to be drawn on the Guinean midfielder's long-term future.
Keita has been sidelined with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but the former RB Leipzig midfielder is now closing in on a return to first-team action. Ibrahima Konate and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also in the frame to feature in the coming weeks after overcoming their own injury issues.
The trio's return will come as a welcome boost to Klopp, who takes his side to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. But the German has confirmed that they will not be available for this weekend's trip to the City Ground.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp said of Keita: "Yes, It's too early for him tomorrow. We can't rush it, it's a tough injury, serious injury and now he's back in parts of training. From Monday on, Naby and Ibou will be involved in full team training if all goes to plan."
And the Reds chief then added an update Oxlade-Chamberlain before addressing uncertainty over Keita, whose contract expires next summer. Klopp added: "Ox is 1 or 2 weeks ahead of Naby. The situation with Naby is clear. What happens in the summer, no-one knows at the moment. But we cannot wait to have him back properly."
Keita, who last appeared for the Reds back in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City back at the end of July, was inked with a move away from Anfield in the summer.
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The 27-year-old was believed to be unhappy that an agreement over a new deal had not been reached and there was strong interest in the midfielder's services in Germany, with Borussia Dortmund mooted as a potential destination
While Klopp ruled out selling Keita as the club would have to source a replacement, if an agreement over a new deal is not reached by the New Year, then Keita will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with teams from overseas.
Liverpool forked out £52million to prise Keita away from Leipzig, but Keita has been plagued by injuries during his stint in the Premier League. Speaking back in August, Klopp said: “Selling Naby now? And not replacing him? No, that is not possible! Of course not. But it is not the plan.
“We are done [in the transfer market], it’s not that we think a player can go and we don’t replace him. There’s no chance. No. Naby will not go but if he would - but he will not do! - then there must be a replacement of course, it’s clear. And yeah, sure, it would be very difficult to replace him.”
