Naby Keita is not set to be included in Liverpool's matchday squad for Chelsea this afternoon.
Instead manager Jurgen Klopp is targeting the Reds' match in the League Cup on Wednesday against MK Dons to reintroduce the midfielder to his matchday squad.
Keita took part in first-team training on Friday but hasn't featured for Liverpool in competitive action since May 1 when he pulled up midway through the Champions League semi-final in Barcelona.
"He (Keita) is close but the matchday squad is not yet the target," Klopp said.
"It is a few sessions training with the team.
"We'd only put him in if we didn't have enough players but I hope we will have enough players for the matchday squad.
"Wednesday is the target I will say and then we will see."
Keita turned in an eye-catching performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City in August to once again show the faithful Kop what he is capable of.
However, he has been unable to build on that this season for the European champions after suffering his most recent injury in Turkey.
A muscle problem around his hip area has kept the Guinea international sidelined so far this term after he was forced off during open training ahead of the Super Cup in Istanbul last month.
Keita was placed on a specially-designed training regime to step up his recovery in the international break and it appears he is almost back to full fitness.
