Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has issued an update on the injury status of attacker Luis Diaz ahead of their midweek clash with Chelsea.
Diaz has been dealing with an injury since October 2022. When he finally returned in December, he suffered another injured and had to go for surgery.
The Colombian has been out since then but returned to training weeks ago. He resumed first-team training last week, but the Chelsea game may be too soon for him.
Diaz did not make the bench for Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City yesterday and still needs time to get back to fitness.
In the press conference ahead of the game tomorrow, Klopp said (via Liverpool’s website): “No, he’s not available [to face Chelsea]. But he is in training, but he is not ready for this game.
“As much as we want him to be back, we still have to give him time. Obviously, it was long ago that he had the initial injury but when he came back to training in Dubai, it looked outstanding until he got injured again. So we have to make sure we are patient at that moment.
“This week, I would not say Arsenal is completely out of the picture, but it is rather unlikely. But after that, then Luis will be back.”
The German manager confirmed that midfielder Thiago Alcantara is back in training after missing over a month of action.
Klopp claimed there would be changes for the Chelsea game before commiserating with recently dismissed Blues boss Graham Potter and Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers.
He hinted that Liverpool would have dismissed him this season if not for his previous achievements with the club.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss will be hoping his side can produce a response to their listless loss to rivals Manchester City.
The Blues are in poor form and there for the taking, but Liverpool must be at their best.
