Liverpool dealt major fitness blows as Jurgen Klopp discusses squad selection ahead of Man City clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested he will not immediately bring back Virgil van Dijk for the start of their Carabao Cup defence at Manchester City.

Klopp’s side go up against the Premier League champions in the Carabao Cup just four days after the World Cup final in Qatar.

The Liverpool manager confirmed that all three of Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Henderson have resumed training with the Reds, but admitted only the latter two are in with a chance of featuring in Thursday’s last-16 matchup.

“Yeah, there’s a chance, of course – they train already,” Klopp told a press conference after their 4-1 Dubai Super Cup win over AC Milan when asked whether any returning World Cup players would face City.

“Hendo is already training here. Virg is training here, but I don’t think we will try that. Hendo we will see, Trent we will see.

“But this group worked now together for nearly two weeks and we made a real step and that’s cool.

“I don’t know in this moment (who will play). I hope we all get through it and we all know in England, and in Europe in general, there’s kind of a virus going around, so we hope we can stay out of that.

“Then we will make the decision obviously on Wednesday who can play on Thursday. But it’s good and will be a very interesting game after that period but I’m looking forward to it.”

After taking on Man City in the Carabao Cup, Klopp will hope to have the likes of Van Dijk and Co. at his disposal when Premier League action resumes on Boxing Day away to Aston Villa.