Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp provides injury update on stars Thiago Alcantara and Takumi Minamino after FA Cup win
Liverpool’s 4-1 win against FA Cup third-round opponents Shrewsbury Town at Anfield saw the return of Takumi Minamino from injury. Speaking after the game, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp also provided an injury update on midfielder Thiago Alcantara (h/t Liverpool Echo).
Forward Minamino took to the field at the start of the second half, replacing youngster Max Woltman in the final third. This was Woltman’s first senior start for Liverpool.
Klopp said that the team needed Minamino ‘desperately’ in the second half, and was impressed with the Japanese international’s performance.
“Taki was injured, that’s all. Nothing serious but serious enough he was out. Not the longest rehab in his life. He’s back and is important to us.”
The midfielder returned from injury to play in the FA Cup clash against Shrewsbury, and Klopp will be relieved to have the senior star back in contention for the remaining games later on this month, given the club’s recent injury concerns.
Klopp also dispelled any rumours about Spanish ace Thiago Alcantara being ruled out of the season with an injury, saying he expects that the midfielder needs time and that they expect him back soon.
Thiago is said to have an injury to the hip, and Klopp expects the former Bayern Munich man to be back for rehab from Monday.
“No, neither March or end of the season is in my mind. It’s around the hip, that’s the situation and it needs time. Didn’t train this week but we expect him to be back for rehab from Monday. He’s not out until end of the season. Not at all.”
Seeing the return of Takumi Minamino is positive news for us, as we desperately need cover for forwards Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, who have left to represent their national sides at the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
Much of the goals have come through the African duo, and we need someone to carry that responsibility around. Diogo Jota luckily has been outstanding this season for us and has been scoring regularly, and we can hope Minamino will contribute to our side’s goals as well in the coming weeks.
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Klopp also gave us encouraging news about Thiago’s return to the team, waving away rumours that he could be out for the rest of the season. The midfielder has not had the easiest time settling in at Anfield, being plagued by injuries at regular intervals.
We can all be hopeful that Thiago comes back into the squad soon, so our injury list grows shorter. We’ll need everyone if we have to come back strongly in the PL and give it our best so we can chase Manchester City down at the top of the league table.
