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Premier League | Gameweek 14

Oct 29, 2022 at 7.45pm UK

Anfield

Liverpool
1 - 2
Leeds

Salah (14')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Rodrigo (4'), Summerville (89')
Summerville (90')

Thiago Alcantara set for Liverpool return against Leeds United

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 28 October 2022

Thiago set for Liverpool return against Leeds United

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is set to return from an ear infection for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leeds United, Jurgen Klopp confirms.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Thiago Alcantara is set to be available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leeds United.

The Spaniard came down with an ear infection on the morning of last weekend's defeat to Nottingham Forest and was subsequently ruled out of the contest.

Thiago did not take part in training prior to the Reds' midweek Champions League win over Ajax either, forcing him to miss a second successive game.

However, the former Bayern Munich man has since recovered from the infection and could be back in the starting XI as the Reds tackle Leeds at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Delivering a team news update at his pre-match press conference, Klopp also had positive news to share on Jordan Henderson, who came off with a knock to the knee against Ajax.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson on October 9, 2022 © Reuters

"With Hendo we have to wait. He was a bit stiff yesterday but I expect him to be okay," Klopp told reporters. "Thiago will return too."

However, neither Naby Keita nor Joel Matip will be available for the contest, while Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo remain out for the long-term.

"It's still soon for Naby Keita and [Joel] Matip is still out. You don't have to ask about Diogo [Jota] or Luis [Diaz] for a while," Klopp added.

When asked for further details on the possibility of letting Juventus loanee Arthur leave the club in January, Klopp affirmed that the Brazilian would not leave midway through his deal, but he will not be back on the pitch until January at the earliest.

"He's here. It's a long-term injury and when he's back, we'll think about it again. But at the moment, it's too far away. No [we won't cut the loan in January]," Klopp said.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives the linesman an earful on October 16, 2022 © Reuters

The German will be eligible to take his place in the home dugout this week, having avoided a touchline ban for giving the linesman an earful in his side's 1-0 win over Manchester City two weekends ago.

Klopp was left enraged at the official's failure to call an apparent foul on Mohamed Salah by Bernardo Silva and was sent off, but he will not serve a one-game suspension and has instead been fined £30,000.

The 55-year-old is content with fine after being told that the money will be invested in something worthwhile, adding: "I know what I said and I know saying that at a further distance and with a different face, it would have been completely fine.

"It was the most expensive face, it's a lot of money but I heard it will be invested in something good. I've never had a red card before. I'm not happy or relieved, I was just waiting for the punishment."

Liverpool occupy eighth position in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's game and can only rise as high as seventh with all three points against Jesse Marsch's side.