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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirms whether Thiago Alcantara will face Man City
Thiago Alcantara has only played two games since joining Liverpool in the summer.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Thiago Alcantara will not available for selection against Manchester City. The Spain international has been out of action since picking up a knee injury in the Merseyside derby against Everton last month.
Liverpool did receive some good news after the game as it became clear he wouldn't require surgery.
There was some optimism that he would return in time to face City on Sunday.
But Thiago has not been spotted taking part in team training this week.
And Klopp confirmed in his press conference on Friday that the midfielder is not fit enough to return.
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When asked whether Thiago would be fit to return, Klopp said: "No.
"Thiago is probably not ready to return.
"There was no surgery needed but it was still an injury and with these kind of injuries you always look day-to-day.
"There can be big improvements from one day to the other but in the end when a boy has no problems any more, then he has to train.
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"The longer he is out, the longer he has to train before we consider him again as a starting line-up player.
"That's obviously not the case for Thiago so he won't be available for us on Sunday."
Joel Matip could be in contention to make his return from injury, but Klopp stopped short of confirming whether he would start alongside Joe Gomez.
"Joel is back and he's been back seven or eight days in training," Klopp added.
"After the game there will be another 14 days training for him so that helps as well.
"We will see what we do for Sunday."
If Matip isn't fit enough for the starting line-up, Klopp has a decision to make on who to play with Gomez at centre-back.
Both Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have impressed of late with the former putting in a strong performance against Atalanta earlier this week.