Jurgen Klopp provides injury updates on Liverpool duo Joel Matip and Diogo Jota
Jurgen Klopp has provided a promising injury update on Joel Matip but admitted Diogo Jota is not yet close to a return.
Matip has been sidelined since going off injured in the draw with West Brom just after Christmas.
The defender was close to making a comeback against Man Utd at the weekend but failed to prove his fitness in time.
He could be in line to face Burnley on Thursday though after Klopp revealed the centre-back was in contention.
"Joel is in full training and now we have to make a decision [about Burnley]," Klopp said at his press conference on Wednesday. "Yesterday he trained completely normal."
The reigning champions could really do with Matip returning to the side having been forced to play their last two Premier League fixtures with captain Jordan Henderson deputising in defence.
Klopp appears to have lost confidence in fringe men Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, with Henderson likely to fill the role again if Matip is not deemed ready enough to play a part against Burnley.
In the back of Klopp's mind will no doubt be the FA Cup clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, and it would be unlikely he would risk Matip's recovery by playing him in both matches.
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It's been an extremely interesting start to the season for Jurgen Klopp's men.
They got their title defence off to a shaky start as they edged out a seven-goal thriller against Leeds, before going on to conceded seven in a hammering by Aston Villa.
Virgil van Dijk's season was ended by injury in the 2-2 draw at Everton, leaving the title favourites looking far less secure at the back – especially with Alisson's injury worries too.
But there's no slowing down in what is going to be a busy campaign – with Klopp ensuring his men continue at full pace as they bid for more title glory.
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Liverpool's front three has also been a cause for concern for Klopp, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struggling to find the net of late.
Klopp eventually turned to Divock Origi from the bench in the dying minutes against United on Sunday, but will be keen to get early season sensation Jota back for selection.
Should Klopp select Matip for Burnley or Man Utd? Have your say below.
Jota was ruled out of action after sustaining a knee injury in the dead rubber Champions League tie with Midtjylland at the beginning of December.
And the former Wolves man is still some way off being available.
"Diogo is still a few weeks away. He needs time," Klopp said. "We will all be happy in the near future when he's back again."
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