Liverpool Team News: Klopp Confirms Double Fitness Boost Ahead Of Newcastle Clash

Liverpool will look to tighten their grip at the top of the table with a win when they take on Newcastle United at Anfield on Boxing Day. 

Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s provided a full team news and injury update including the latest on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita.

Alexander-Arnold picked up a foot injury during the closing stages of Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Napoli earlier this month and it was initially feared the full-back could be facing a spell on the sidelines.

However, the 20-year-old made a swift recovery and although Alexander-Arnold has been forced to miss the recent games against Manchester United and Wolves, Klopp has confirmed the full-back is now back in full training.

The Liverpool boss also had a positive update on Keita as he said the midfielder is expected to take part in training today despite picking up a rib injury during the victory at Molineux on Friday night.

Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com:

“Trent is back in training, in full training. We will see.

“Nothing new [on Keita] because it is pretty early, [but] nobody said to me so far he cannot train. I expect him back in training.”

Alexander-Arnold will be assessed by Liverpool’s medical team at Melwood today before his availability against Newcastle is determined but James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne are options at right-back if Klopp doesn’t want to risk him. However, it’s a big boost for the league leaders to have Alexander-Arnold in contention for the upcoming games against Arsenal and Manchester City.

CHECK OUT OUR PREDICTED LIVERPOOL LINE-UP VS NEWCASTLE

It will also be a relief for the Merseysiders that Keita hasn’t suffered any serious problem as the midfielder has been in excellent form for Liverpool in recent weeks.

Klopp has no other fresh injury concerns to worry about but he’ll obviously still be without Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they continue to recover from long-term problems.