Liverpool team news: Klopp confirms injury blow but key duo expected to be fit

Liverpool will be looking to cement their position at the top of the table when they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

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

Keita picked up an injury during the second half of Liverpool’s thrilling 5-5 draw with Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The midfielder was replaced by Curtis Jones in the 55th minute at Anfield and will be assessed by medical staff today but Keita is considered a doubt to face Villa this weekend.

Matip hasn’t featured for Liverpool in any of their last three matches since suffering a knee injury during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford last month and Klopp has confirmed the centre-back is facing a ‘few weeks’ on the sidelines, which is a big blow for the Reds.

Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com:

“Naby I don’t know yet [if he’s available], we will see.

“Joel is not [available] for the next few weeks.”

Klopp didn’t provide any specific update on Mohamed Salah after he was withdrawn during the latter stages of Liverpool’s win over Tottenham last weekend with an ankle problem but the attacker is expected to be fit to start tomorrow.

Virgil van Dijk is also set to return to the starting eleven after suffering a dead leg against Spurs but Xherdan Shaqiri remains out with a calf injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks.

However, Fabinho might not be risked this weekend as a booking against Villa would be his fifth of the season and rule him out of the crucial showdown with Manchester City next weekend.

Klopp is expected to make a number of changes to his side tomorrow with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino set for recalls.