Liverpool are reportedly without Thiago Alcantara for their UEFA Europa League opener against LASK later this week.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the 32-year-old has big doubts about taking part in the trip to Austria, as he has not played at all for Liverpool this season and Thiago is set to return to training completely.
The midfielder was spotted training with Kirkby, although Thiago is not yet working on the ball, meaning the former Bayern Munich star could be out for a few more weeks.Hailed as a “world class” player by Mark Lawrenson, Thiago could have been a standout option for Liverpool in the LASK squad this week.
The Europa League is a competition for which the Reds are one of the early favorites and Thiago could have used the midweek games to improve his fitness and get back into Jurgen Klopp’s good books.
However, this update appears to confirm that Thiago is still waiting to return to full fitness, and fans are no doubt growing increasingly frustrated with the midfielder’s recent fitness issues.
The Europa League will offer out-of-favour players the chance to impress Klopp ahead of Premier League matches the following Sunday and Thiago’s absence against LASK would be a major blow.
The midfielder is desperate to get back on the pitch after a five-month break and missing any of the six Europa League matches will be a big blow for Thiago.
Additionally, the absence of a Spain international gives Klopp the opportunity to field a rival, with Thiago already facing competition for a place in the main starting .
