NewsThiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic fitness latest
Jürgen Klopp today offered an update on the fitness of Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic as the pair continue to work their way back towards their respective returns to action.
The manager detailed why no timescale is being placed upon their recoveries, with the duo currently continuing to work with the club’s medical team.
On Bajcetic, Klopp said: “No, we don’t know [when he will be back]. With Stefan it’s, again, one of these things. Stefan’s quality, potential, talent, everybody could see and it’s incredible - what a player - but the body was not ready yet.
“They are still growing these boys and they are all different; we have other players with a different, what is it, skeleton, a different body where OK that’s fine and for other players it is a bit too early. We just have to put the break on again and just wait until that’s all fine. Then Liverpool FC has a wonderful player to use, but there is absolutely no time that we can put on that and we will not. We just have to wait.
“He is here, he is training, he is doing his stuff, we are building his [fitness]. We know how he good he is and now we have to make sure we help him to get a body to show that, and not only once but then three times a week.
“We will get there [and that will be] very good news for the club, [but] in the moment we cannot use him and that’s all.”
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
Watch on YouTubeJürgen Klopp's pre-Luton press conference
Meanwhile, Thiago has yet to feature so far in 2023-24 as he continues his recovery from a hip issue that required surgery in the summer.
Klopp added: “With Thiago it is slightly different, it’s an ongoing thing and we cannot put any kind of pressure on there as well.
“We expect him to be back - and I would say probably the start of the New Year. It’s now already November, so that would mean another four weeks. I would say that’s probably a realistic thing to try and I can’t wait, to be honest, to have him back.
“The player he is is just exceptional. I understand you ask, but it’s nothing where we can have a week by week update because that will not change a lot in this moment.”
-
AcademyPhotos and free video: Liverpool U21s complete workout in Kirkby on Thursday. See Liverpool U21s' latest session at the AXA Training Centre with our exclusive photos and free-to-watch footage.
-
NewsInternationals: Julia Bartel meets Mia Enderby on Thursday. Julia Bartel met her Liverpool FC Women teammate Mia Enderby in an international fixture on Thursday evening.
-
GalleryRecovery session photos: Liverpool back at AXA Training Centre after Merseyside derby win. See photos of Liverpool's recovery session following their Merseyside derby victory, with our new gallery from the AXA Training Centre.
-
TicketsWSL: Book tickets and free travel for Chelsea v Liverpool. Tickets and free coach travel can be booked now for Liverpool's Barclays Women's Super League trip to Chelsea next month.
-
NewsLiverpool's injury list, suspensions and availability. Read the latest information on injuries, suspensions and availability in the Liverpool men's squad.