Jurgen Klopp says the £67m Liverpool star cannot be a member of Sheffield United
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Wednesday’s Premier League match is too early for Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker to return to action. The Liverpool prop suffered a hamstring problem in the Reds’ draw at Manchester City at the end of November. Alisson missed Liverpool’s next two games, a 4–0 Europa League win over LASK and a 4–3 win over Fulham in the Premier League. The Reds next face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the last half of the Premier League on 3/19. Speaking to the Liverpool media ahead of the game on Tuesday, Klopp gave an injury update, focusing on three players in particular. The Reds boss admitted that Joel Matipit will be waiting on the pitch after the problem, which will not be good against Fulham. Klopp also said the trip to South Yorkshire would come too soon for Diogo Jota, who is yet to return to first-team training. “He ran outside yesterday – on his birthday,” the boss said of Jota. “And everything is going in the right direction, but no one told me that he will return to training today. No, there is still time. “And the same with Ali. Apparently Ali is closer, but definitely not available tomorrow.” It’s a shame that Alisson will stay away. He was a fantastic player at Liverpool and remains one of the best in the world. Thankfully, Klopp has hinted that the £67m man will not be sidelined for long. We hope he will be back this weekend. After the trip to Sheffield United, Liverpool face Crystal Palace in Saturday’s Premier League opener at 12.30pm.