Liverpool team news: Klopp offers update on key trio ahead of Man Utd trip

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool will make late decisions over the fitness of Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah ahead of Sunday’s huge clash with Manchester United.

Alisson returned to full training earlier this month after recovering from a calf injury that he sustained during the early stages of Liverpool’s Premier League opener with Norwich City back in August.

Matip sat out Liverpool’s two games against Salzburg and Leicester City before the international due to a knock while Salah limped out of the win over the Foxes two weeks ago after picking up an ankle injury during the closing stages of the game.

Alisson and Matip returned to training earlier this week to build-up their fitness ahead of the trip to Man Utd on Sunday while Salah undertook an individual training programme at Melwood on Thursday afternoon.

The trio have all been tipped to start against United this weekend and although Klopp says they are ‘better’, the Reds boss kept his cards close to his chest by saying Alisson, Matip and Salah will be assessed over the next couple of sessions before a final decision is made over their involvement at Old Trafford.

The Liverpool boss also confirmed none of his players suffered any injury concerns during the international break so the Premier League leaders should have a strong squad to choose from on Sunday.

When asked for an update on Alisson, Matip and Salah’s fitness at his pre-match press conference today, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com:

“Better – how good, we have to see, that’s the truth. There are two more sessions to come from this afternoon and we have to see. Then we’ll make decisions, that’s how it is. Nothing is fixed.”

“The players on international duty all came back healthy, which is very, very important. So we now had three or four days with the full squad to prepare it, which is a little bit comfortable at least.”

If I was a betting man I’d guess that Alisson, Matip and Salah all start against Man Utd on Sunday but Liverpool are certain to be without Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne as they continue to recover from their injuries.

Liverpool head into the weekend action sitting eight points clear at the top of the table after winning all eight of their games so far this campaign so Klopp will be looking to extend that sensational run with a win over United at Old Trafford.