The Reds kick-off against Burnley later today at Turf Moor as they attempt to continue their Premier League winning streak. A victory over the Clarets would keep Liverpool on top of the Premier League table going into the international break. However, anything less could see Manchester City overtake them depending on their result at Southampton.
In the build-up to today’s fixture, manager Jurgen Klopp issued an update on injured goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s recovery. The shot-stopper has been sidelined since damaging his calf in Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Norwich City.
Klopp spoke about Alisson’s “steps” toward being fully fit and healed from his injury. Speaking at Melwood on Friday, Klopp addressed the media on the goalkeeper’s recovery.
“He [has] made steps, of course, but it was a proper injury, so it will still take time.
“How it always is with professional sportsmen, when you have a muscle thing and it takes long, then it takes a while as well until you can bring the muscle to at least the same level it was before.
“A calf muscle is pretty important for jumping – and for a goalie, it is quite important that you can jump from time to time, so it will take time,” Klopp said.
“But, thank God – and hopefully it stays like this – we have a fit Adrian in the back and now in charge, which is good. So far, I am really happy with everything I saw.
“He is a good guy, which is important as well, but most importantly, of course, he can catch balls and that’s good as well.
“The solution we found for it is really good, but of course it would be better if Ali was around but that will take still some time.”
The hope was for Alisson to be back by late September. However, with little information on the injury, those expectations may need to be curbed.
Xherdan Shaqiri asks to not to be considered
Shaqiri has not featured for the Reds since playing for Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. Although he looked lively in the match, Shaqiri hasn’t played in any of Liverpool’s four matches since then.
The midfielder still has a future at Anfield and to ensure he gets back on the pitch for Klopp, has asked to not be considered for Switzerland during the upcoming international break.
Shaqiri is hopeful that staying at Melwood to train will improve his play and get him back in the Liverpool team. Despite not featuring for the first team, Klopp has praised Shaqiri’s attitude and explained just how difficult it can be to get into the side for Liverpool’s fringe players currently.
“Shaq is training well,” Klopp explained. “That’s the first four weeks of the season, that’s the situation, that’s how it is.
“That’s probably the hardest period for players who are not yet [playing]. [There was] an injury for Shaq as well [in the summer].
“In training, Shaq doesn’t have to improve in any way if he can keep the level he is doing at the moment. It’s not about that.
“Of course he can improve, everybody can improve, but he doesn’t have to show anything special.
“And we will need him. He knows that 100%.
“Is he the happiest player in the squad at the moment? I don’t think so. Can I see that on the training pitch? No.
“He is in a good mood and training hard, doing what he has to do and is ready for the moment when he has to help the team on the pitch.”
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