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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Theo Squires

Liverpool handed big Thiago boost with updates on seven more injured players

Liverpool have been handed an injury boost after Jurgen Klopp confirmed Thiago Alcantara is available to face Leeds United on Saturday, while he is also hopeful Jordan Henderson will be passed fit after limping off against Ajax.

The Spaniard missed the Reds' loss to Nottingham Forest and victory in Amsterdam with a severe ear infection. Meanwhile, the Liverpool captain was replaced after 71 minutes against the Dutch giants after taking a heavy blow to his knee.

But Klopp is hopeful that both players will be involved against Leeds and confirmed that Ibrahima Konate is also available. However, despite returning to full team training last week, Naby Keita is not yet ready to return.

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"With Hendo we have to wait a little bit. It's a knock," he explained to reporters. "He was a bit stiff yesterday. Didn't have only treatment yesterday so we'll see how he will be today.

"I expect him to be okay to be honest. Thiago is back. Naby not, not yet. No, Joel [Matip] will not be back. He's here training but rehab. No, you don't have to ask about Diogo [Jota] for a while. Not for Luis [Diaz] for a while either.

"Yes (Ibou is ready). The Ajax game, we didn't have more subs. We could take him with us but he wasn't really ready for this game. In a very serious situation, maybe.

"Now we have to see. He's a step closer definitely. A few days more. He's around now and is now available. How long, we will see but he is available."

He continued: "We have to see who is available for tomorrow and build a team. Line up in maybe a different system again and go from there. Whoever is available, my job is to bring the boys into the best possible position for them. Not to play the system I always played or like the most.

"That's what we are trying at the moment. It's worked out a couple of times now and we have to keep going like this."

Meanwhile, Klopp also confirmed that Arthur Melo will remain with Liverpool for the season despite injury, revealing that there is no break clause in his loan deal from Juventus when admitting that he also remains a long-term absentee.

"Yeah (he is here for the season). He's here," the German said. "It's a long-term injury. When he's back, we'll think about it again. But in the moment it's too far away. I have no idea how long it will be but it will be a long. It's a really long-term injury."

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