Jurgen Klopp says Thiago Alcantara is still someway short of full fitness as Liverpool prepare to face Southampton on Monday.
But the Reds boss has been encouraged by what he has seen so far from his summer signing following his return from injury.
The midfielder made just his third appearance of the campaign in Wednesday's goalless draw at Newcastle as he ended a two-and-a-half month stint on the sidelines.
Thiago came on for James Milner after 73 minutes and produced an eye-catching display that showcased his expansive passing range.
Klopp says there is still work to do before the former Bayern Munich man is able to play at 100 per cent after a difficult couple of months following the Merseyside derby on October 17.
“I think of the 20 minutes, 12 round about were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, but that’s normal,” Klopp said about Thiago's second-half performance in the north east.
“He trained exactly twice with the team. There is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get."
Thiago has completed 90 minutes just once since joining from Bayern in September with illness and injury hampering him so far at Anfield.
But the two-time Champions League winner is in contention for Monday's trip to St Mary's.
Klopp said he was also delighted to have Xherdan Shaqiri back on the pitch after his late cameo at St James' Park.
Klopp added: “Shaq is back and that’s, by the way, the best news.
"The boys are back and, as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured, which is a very important thing.
“That means we can probably go with the same squad to Southampton."
The Reds will be aiming to put behind them a disappointing end to 2020 that saw them held by both West Brom and Newcastle.
Victory on the south coast will see the champions go three points clear of Manchester United in second place.
