Liverpool will have to wait on Roberto Firmino’s reaction to resuming running before deciding whether he can be involved against Everton on Sunday.
The Brazilian missed the Reds’ midweek win over Watford as a result of the ankle injury that forced him out of the goalless draw at Manchester United three days earlier.
He has since returned to light training at Melwood, but Jurgen Klopp was unable to offer guarantees over his No.9’s inclusion at Goodison Park.
“He was out there in the running yesterday but we have to see how he reacts. I will see him in a few minutes for the first time since yesterday,” the manager said.
“He is very positive, that’s Bobby’s nature. We have to see. I don’t see any other player – OK, we have maybe two or three more of them – being even in contention for that game after the little problem he had.
“It looks really good but if he will be ready for Sunday, I don’t know in this second.”
Should Firmino miss out, Divock Origi looks likely to retain his place in the XI after capitalising on a rare start with a goal on Wednesday.
Naming a back four should also be straightforward for Klopp, with Dejan Lovren unlikely to return for the trip across Stanley Park.
Standard Sport understands the Croatian has recently begun running again as he looks to fight back from the hamstring problem that has sidelined him since January.
However, Sunday’s game appears to have come too soon, with the upcoming trip to Bayern Munich mooted as a more realistic target.
Klopp has no other fresh fitness concerns to consider, meaning he faces some difficult selection decisions in midfield.
Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Origi, Mane.
