Jurgen Klopp believes Thiago Alcantara is "not too far" from a Liverpool return - but admits the midfielder is unlikely to make his comeback this midweek.
Thiago hasn't played since suffering a knee injury when caught by a red-card challenge from Everton forward Richarlison more than five weeks ago.
While pictured at the Liverpool's new training centre late last week, the Spaniard has yet to resume team training with the problem having been more serious than initially suspected.
But while unsure when Thiago will be able to return, Klopp is confident it won't be long before the summer signing can improve on the 135 minutes he has thus far played for the Premier League and world champions.
"Thiago is not in team training yet," said the Reds boss. "When will he be in team training? I don't know. We will see.
"I'm as surprised as the public. In the morning I come in, we have a medical meeting and they tell me 'yes he is in, he is not'.
"I know it's not too far anymore (for Thiago), but I have no idea."
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Klopp addressed the suggestion if Thiago could be back in time for Wednesday's Champions League visit of Atalanta, with Liverpool likely to be without the hamstrung Naby Keita.
"It would be great if he could, but if then he would have three days training and then play a Champions League game," he said.
"It's not the ideal situation. We have to see how we do it. I have in the moment no idea how we do it, but I can sleep at least three times and then we will see."
