Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says Naby Keita is definitely out of the game against Arsenal this weekend but will be back in a couple of weeks, rather than months.
The dynamic midfielder has had a series of injuries so far during his Reds career, with the latest one a hip problem, sustained just before the UEFA Super Cup victory over Chelsea.
Via Goal, Klopp said in his pre-Arsenal press conference: “’Long-term’ doesn’t mean six months, it means a couple of weeks. So no, no real news. He’s still doing well but not close enough for this weekend.”
Keita has only made 35 appearances for the Reds so far in the just over 12 months he has been at the club. He’s clearly a talented player, but he can’t seem to get onto the pitch for a significant spell without getting a knock or strain of some form.
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His niggling injuries, none of which are very long, but together mean he misses a lot of football, are incredibly frustrating, but hopefully he can get himself into better condition soon.
Competing at the Africa Cup of Nations while not 100% fit has not helped him, and meant a disrupted pre-season.