Mueez Ajao
– Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is facing a battle to be fit for Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid after manager Jurgen Klopp said a hamstring injury sustained by the midfielder against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday is “not good.”
– The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star limped out of the 3-1 win at Anfield moments before half-time to add to the list of injury concerns ahead of the showpiece final in Paris next Saturday.
– Fabinho (hamstring) and Virgil van Dijk (muscular strain) both missed the Wolves game, while forward Divock Origi has been ruled out of the Champions League final with a muscle injury suffered in training this week.
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– But while admitting that Thiago’s injury is a concern, Klopp did not rule the Spain international out of the Madrid clash.
– “Thiago is not good, but we don’t know enough yet,” Klopp said. “He can walk, which is a good sign, but after some rest, we will see.
– “I don’t want to talk now about it. Let us see. We want to wait until we know more about it and have confirmation.”
– Klopp was more definitive about Origi, though, after the Belgium striker failed to make the squad for the Wolves game.
– “Div is out [of the Champions League final],” Klopp said. “He suffered an injury in the final minutes of training, which is why he wasn’t involved in this game.”
– Manchester City’s dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Aston Villa at the Etihad denied Liverpool the title and the chance to complete a Quadruple by beating Madrid next week.
– But Klopp said that his players will bounce back from their Premier League disappointment to be ready to face Madrid in the French capital.
– “This season is absolutely incredible, but not today,” Klopp said. “We have had our knocks, but this season is incredible.
– “We have five days to prepare for the final against an incredible team, but that’s what we will do. Losing this will only increase our desire to succeed.”
