Liverpool Team News: Klopp Confirms Double Blow But Trio Fit For Red Star Clash

Liverpool will be without Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson for their Champions League clash with Red Star Belgrade but James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane have been declared fit.

Keita missed the 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at the weekend after suffering a hamstring injury while away with the Guinea squad during the recent international break. The midfielder is now back running again but Jurgen Klopp has confirmed tomorrow’s game will still come too soon.

Henderson was forced off at half-time at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday after picking up his own hamstring problem and Klopp says the England international is expected to miss at least the next two games so he’ll sit out the Red Star game and the visit of Cardiff City to Anfield at the weekend.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com:

“It’s not too good, to be honest. It’s nothing we have to worry too much about, but it’s a hamstring issue so we will have to see. He will not be available for tomorrow for sure, and probably not Cardiff, but hopefully then he can be back. We will see.”

“Naby is already outside running, but the game tomorrow will be too early for sure,”

However, there was some more positive news for Liverpool as Klopp also confirmed that Mane is set to return after resuming full training having missed the Huddersfield win with a broken thumb that he sustained while away with Senegal earlier this month.

Milner overcame a hamstring injury to start on Saturday afternoon but he was forced off midway through the second period after picking up another knock, however, Klopp says the midfielder is fine and should be in contention to start tomorrow night.

Wijnaldum was introduced at the break against Huddersfield and picked up an Achilles problem during the second period but Klopp expects the Dutch international to be passed fit for the Champions League game on Wednesday.

The Reds boss told Liverpoolfc.com:

“Millie looks fine and should be OK, Gini got a knock on his Achilles but should be OK and Sadio trained and should be fine.

“[We have] a couple of problems, but still enough players to choose from tomorrow night.”

Liverpool head in to tomorrow night’s game sitting second in Group C – level on points with PSG and one behind Napoli – after taking three points from their opening two matches so Klopp will be keen to cement their position with a win against unfancied Red Star.