Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp keeps the possibility open for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota to return against Atalanta in the Europa League.
Alexander-Arnold has been sidelined since February, following his early substitution in the 3-1 victory over Burnley, while Jota sustained a knee injury the following week against Brentford.
Klopp has faced challenges due to injuries, including the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson for two months. Despite this, Liverpool remains competitive in both the Premier League title race and the Europa League, where they are favorites. In preparation for the upcoming quarter-final clash with Atalanta, Klopp refrained from ruling out Alexander-Arnold and Jota’s participation after their recent return to training.
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“We haven’t rushed them back. Trent and Jota have been training consistently for a couple of weeks,” Klopp stated during his pre-match press conference. “They’ve been performing well in training sessions, especially yesterday.”
Klopp also mentioned Stefan Bajcetic, who has been out for a longer period, hinting at a potential appearance for him in the U21s to assess his progress. However, the manager emphasized the need for caution and ensuring that the players return in optimal condition and rhythm.
While acknowledging the challenge of reintegrating them into the team, Klopp expressed confidence in their quality. Nonetheless, he remained non-committal about their involvement in the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of making decisions based on their fitness and readiness.
Liverpool faces Crystal Palace in a crucial Premier League fixture following the Europa League clash, further complicating Klopp’s decision-making process regarding player selection.