Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has ruled Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara out of contention for Wednesday’s EFL Cup last-16 clash with Preston North End.
Fabinho did not play any part in the 5-0 drubbing of Manchester United due to a knee problem, while Thiago has been struggling with a calf injury sustained against Crystal Palace last month.
The Reds were also handed concerns with James Milner and Naby Keita at Old Trafford, and Lijnders updated fans on the state of Liverpool’s infirmary ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Lijnders said: “Millie felt something, he felt something wasn’t right in his hamstring, a little bit tight.
“Then [Mason] Greenwood made this run and he decides, ‘I need to catch him’ – how Millie is, putting the team always first. And that created a bigger injury in that moment, that run. It shows a lot about his character and his will power to put the team first. This [injury] will be until the international break for sure, so it’s a long one. But we will need him in the coming period.
“Naby has a bruise in this moment, we assess it day by day. It’s looking good, so that’s good. Fabinho will not be ready for tomorrow’s game, we will assess him day by day still. He can make the game on Saturday hopefully.
“Then we have Thiago as well, who is closer to team training than ever. He will be later in the week with the team training. Probably Brighton comes too early but it’s good that he is back, especially in the situation we are in.”
The Liverpool coach also revealed that Kaide Gordon and Caoimhin Kelleher are unlikely to be involved, while Sepp van den Berg – on loan at Preston – has been granted permission to face his parent club.
