Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp rubbished rumours that Thiago Alcantara could be out for the season with injury, confirming that the 30-year-old is expected to return to rehab at the start of the next week.
This update comes via Echo journalist Paul Gorst in a tweet, with the Spaniard struggling still with an ongoing hip concern.
The Merseysiders are already a midfielder down with Naby Keita having linked up with the Guinean national side for the AFCON tournament alongside fellow Africans Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
READ MORE: (Video) Mane sends ‘special message’ to Liverpool teammates Keita & Salah with AFCON challenge
With two semi-final Carabao Cup ties with Arsenal coming up in January, Klopp will undoubtedly be keen to have his tempo-setting maestro back in action as quickly as possible.
Fans will hope that the FA Cup squad selected to face Shrewsbury was not a solid indication of the state of our midfield options, as skipper Jordan Henderson was missing from both starting-XI and bench.
Of course, the return of Curtis Jones will have provided a much-welcome selection boost for what will undoubtedly prove to be a tricky period of the season to navigate without three first-team stars.
Liverpool hero would be fourth highest appearance holder and second-top goal scorer EVER, if his wartime goals and games were counted
