Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Philippe Coutinho is "in a good way" but is still not yet fit enough to play a part in Liverpool's New Year's Eve clash with Manchester City.
The Reds have been without their influential Brazilian midfielder since he sustained an ankle injury against Sunderland at Anfield on November 26.
Coutinho was expected to be in the frame to feature in the meeting with Premier League title rivals City on Saturday, but Klopp does not expect to have him back until the visit of Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on January 8.
"He is in a good way, a really good way - I spoke to him a few minutes ago," he told reporters. "But the City game, for sure, is too early and if the City game is too early then I am pretty sure the Sunderland game is too early, too. That's it."
Liverpool will also be without the services of defender Joel Matip, who is on the comeback trail following an ankle problem of his own that has kept him out of his side's last three games - wins over Middlesbrough, Everton and Stoke City.
Daniel Lewis
