Jurgen Klopp has mapped out the road to recovery for Naby Keita as the Liverpool midfielder remains on the sidelines.
Keita hasn't featured since an impressive showing in the 7-0 win at Crystal Palace on December 19 after picking up a muscle problem.
The Guinea international started the first four Premier League games of the season but has since been restricted to just five outings in all competitions due to a variety of ailments.
And Liverpool have now opted to give Keita extra time to fully recover from his current issue rather than potentially aggravate the injury with a run-out at home to leaders Manchester United on Sunday and face an even longer spell out.
“Naby is not ready for involvement," said Reds boss Klopp. "It’s not a big thing; it’s a little bit like with other players in the past when they came back from injuries and then because of the amount of games and situation in the squad they had to play.
“Then a little injury happened again. Now we just had to put on the brake and say ‘let’s settle it properly’.
"In the moment we have alternatives in midfield, so we really try to give him all the time he needs to get 100% fit.
"That’s the situation, so no, he is not in contention for Sunday."
