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Klopp updates on availability of Keita, Thiago, & Matip for Atalanta clash

Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita - Liverpool
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Liverpool are beset with injuries at present but two key players are in contention to return for the Champions League fixture midweek.

Liverpool resume their European journey on Tuesday when they take on Atalanta in matchday 3 of Champions League Group D.

The Premier League champions have been unable to field their strongest XI lately as they have a number of players out injured.

Virgil van Dijk, who recently underwent surgery to repair ACL damage sustained during the Merseyside derby, remains the biggest miss.

Injuries to Joel Matip and makeshift center-back further amplified Jurgen Klopp’s selection problems at the back, with the manager having to resort to playing 23-year old Nat Phillips.

Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara are the other names who have missed the last couple of games through fitness issues.

However, a timely fitness boost has been handed to the Reds as Keita and Matip are back in full training and are in line to feature against Atalanta.

“Naby and Joel trained yesterday [Sunday] with the team, full, Thiago didn’t. So, that’s the situation,” Klopp told the club’s official website.

“I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that’s good, it’s better than if they don’t train, but we have to see what we do with it.

“We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late.”

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