Jurgen Klopp admits it is unlikely that Virgil van Dijk will play again for Liverpool this season.
The £75million centre-back has been out since mid-October suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage from a reckless tackle by Jordan Pickford in the 2-2 draw with Everton.
Van Dijk underwent surgery at the end of October and has been in Dubai for much of the last couple of months working on his rehabilitation.
Klopp said last month that the Dutch captain's situation was "really promising" but after being asked about the likelihood of Van Dijk being included in Liverpool's latest Premier League squad list, the Reds boss played down talk of a return this term.
Premier League clubs will be made to submit a new list to the organisation after the closing of the January transfer window.
Asked if Van Dijk will be on that list, Klopp said that any inclusion will not automatically mean the centre-back will be back.
"Whatever happens, I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list, I think he was on the Premier League list," Klopp said.
"Nobody told me I had to change something. If we have space in the Champions League then Virgil will be on the list. That is how it is.
"At the moment, nobody, no doctor has told me there's a chance for Virgil to play in this season again.
"I don't want to say it is absolutely impossible, but it is not likely. It's not likely and we don't have to discuss these things really.
"So like I said, if we have space we would put them all on, even when all the medical people tell us there is no chance, we put them all on because we believe in miracles from time to time.
"But if there is no place and we have to consider these things and say their chance is not too big [to be fit] so now we have to make a decision.
"If they are on the list then it is only because we hope for a miracle. That is it."
