Liverpool's Naby Keita conundrum and the headache Jurgen Klopp may be spared

It started mere hours after Jurgen Klopp had suggested Naby Keita's season was over.

Earlier this month, the Liverpool boss stated the midfielder was facing two months out with an adductor problem sustained after a clash with Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic during the Champions League semi-final first leg defeat on May 1.

The response from Guinea, who were counting on Keita leading them at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in June and July, was swift.

"The Liverpool coach has to pull himself together, let the doctors do their job," said Guinea Football Federation president Antonio Souare. "It's hasty and pretentious to make statements like this."

Matters took another intriguing turn over the weekend when Guinea national team coach Paul Put gave his opinion.

"It is said that he will maybe in two weeks resume with the squad," said the Belgian. "It is even possible that he is in the squad for the Champions League final, if what I have been told is true."

And then on Monday came the revelation Keita was part of the 26-man squad that flew out for Liverpool's training camp in Marbella ahead of the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur on June 1.

Naby Keita celebrates Liverpool's 4-0 win over Barcelona

Klopp wanted Keita involved and the player is continuing his rehabilitation programme away from the main squad with the club's fitness coaches.

But that the player hasn't been officially ruled out of the reckoning has not passed unnoticed.

Keita still has an outside chance. And there's now very good reason Klopp will be happy to wait and see over the Guinean's fitness.

Naby Keita is challenged by Harry Kane during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool back in September (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The switch to 12 substitutes has given Liverpool - and Tottenham Hotspur - leeway to include players who may not be 100% ready.

For example, even if he is 70% fit, it seems a no-brainer for the Londoners to include Harry Kane on the bench.

And the same would apply to Keita.

Liverpool are poised to include at least one youngster among the substitutes - Ben Woodburn, Curtis Jones and Rhian Brewster are in contention - and with the Reds boasting other midfield options, Keita, provided he proves a certain level of fitness, would be an accepted inclusion.

It would also spare Klopp a headache - and give Guinea hope their talisman could be ready in time for the Africa Cup of Nations three weeks later.