Liverpool injury latest as Jurgen Klopp gets triple boost ahead of Man Utd clash

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on his three injured stars, Naby Keita, Joel Matip and Diogo Jota.

The Premier League champions have been rocked by injury issues this season, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez set to miss the majority of the season.

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been forced to play at the back as a result, with Liverpool unlikely to make any new signings during the January transfer window.

But speaking on Thursday, Klopp provided a positive update on Matip’s injury.

Liverpool’s FA Cup game against Aston Villa on Friday is in doubt after a Covid-19 outbreak at the Midlands club, with their next game after that coming next weekend against Manchester United in the Premier League.

Klopp is expected to play a weakened side for the Villa clash – if it goes ahead – with a stronger team set to be named against United.

And the Reds boss could welcome back Matip for the title-contender showdown.

Klopp explained of a potential return before the United clash for Matip: “Yes – we will try working on that obviously.

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"Until the United game we still have around nine days, so we try.

“He is in a good way but if it will be United or a few days later, I don’t know.

"After the United game we will obviously play every three days again, so I think that’s pretty sure, but for the United game, we will see.”

Their issues don’t end in defence, however, with their front three currently struggling from a lack of rotation considering Jota’s knee injury.

And it seems the Portuguese ace, who cost £40.5million from Wolves in the previous window, is still some way away from returning, but did not require surgery.

“It will still take time,” he said of Jota’s recovery.

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"And he is a few weeks away from team training. There is nothing really to say, it takes time.

“There was no surgery needed, which was good, but it was a proper injury.

"It is not a little knock or something; no, no, and it will still take time. There is no real timeframe there.”

Keita is officially unavailable for selection due to a fitness issue, but Klopp confirmed he is nearing a return.

However, even if the Villa game goes ahead, the central midfielder will be out of contention.

“He will be back soon – but not for the Villa game,” Klopp said.

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