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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp makes Liverpool squad declaration after Naby Keita injury latest

Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool to build on their "wonderful base" as he welcomed a fully-fit squad for the run-in to the season.

The Reds resume action after the international break with the Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Klopp's side stand two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table - albeit having played a game more - and also have a Champions League quarter-final against Porto on the horizon.

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And having already surpassed last season's points tally by taking 76 points from 31 games, the Reds boss has now urged his players to now finish the job.

“It is exciting, absolutely,” said Klopp. “That’s what we were always talking about – a season is like that, you constantly prepare a basis for the final weeks.

"We are now in the final weeks and there will be no interruption anymore, there will only be game after game after game and they all are very, very important.

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“On the one side, opponents fight for the Champions League spots, and on the other they will fight (to stay in) the league.

“Champions League, we don’t have to talk about that because they are all finals, each game is a final. Hopefully we can stay in that competition for a while.

“We created a wonderful base, now let’s use it.”

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Players on international duty have started to arrive back at Melwood with Klopp confident he will have an almost full complement to work with from Thursday ahead of Sunday's match.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Trent Alexander-Arnold are continuing treatment on minor issues, but Naby Keita - who missed the last two games through injury - has resumed full training alongside long-term absentee Joe Gomez.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be back next week after a minor problem on his return for the under-23s earlier this month.

“Absolutely (it’s good to be back)," said Klopp, speaking to liverpoolfc.com.

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“Now we are back, the boys are coming step by step back as well, so from Thursday on I think we will be complete.

“With all players together, of course, the Dutch ones, the Brazilians, together in complete training. But preparation has started already.

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“We don’t have all the players who are away, but we have all the other players as well. Bringing players back, step by step. Okay, Shaq and Trent are still doing a bit of rehab, but the others are here and in good shape. Two sessions today (Wednesday) and then one session a day.

“All good and we’re really looking to this period now.”

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