Liverpool suffer two new setbacks as Jurgen Klopp gives Thiago, Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones latest

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s clash against West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday (17.30).

Here are the key talking points from the Reds boss’ pre-match press conference.

Jones latest

Curtis Jones was taken off at half-time in Liverpool’s 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat of Norwich City earlier this week.

He had caught the eye in the opening 45 minutes.

Klopp revealed that the homegrown midfielder suffered a minor thigh issue.

The Liverpool boss is unsure if Jones will feature against the Hammers.

Klopp said: “Curtis is not bad but if it’s good enough to go again tomorrow, I don’t know.”

Thiago update

Thiago Alcantara has missed the Reds’ past two matches.

He pulled up in the warm-up ahead of the Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea at Wembley last week.

Thiago will again be sidelined against West Ham.

Klopp said: “Strength in depth is really important. We have players unavailable. Pretty sure no-one will tell me differently.

“Yesterday we didn’t train and Thiago will not be available for tomorrow.”

Fresh problems

Klopp revealed that Joel Matip will be absent through illness this weekend.

And he shrouded doubt around whether Naby Keita might feature, having also been omitted against Norwich.

“Joel Matip is ill. Not Covid. He will not be available then we played a tough game midweek so we have to see.

“From eight midfielders to - Naby we don’t know - three, four midfielders in a week.

“We have to make sure we stay as fit as possible because we have a lot of games to play in the next few months.

“Naby was not in the squad on Wednesday.

Firmino return

Roberto Firmino has also been sidelined, having been absent for the previous four games.

The Brazil international has a muscle issue and Liverpool will again be without him against West Ham.

But Firmino is set to return to training on Sunday and Klopp’s hopeful the striker can be involved against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“Bobby is looking good but not good enough for the weekend,” said Klopp.

“I think the plan is he trains on Sunday. First time full. That sounds then like it’s doable for Tuesday.”

Title race

Liverpool can move back within three points of leaders Manchester City with a victory.

With City facing bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday, the Reds can pile on the pressure in the Premier League title race.

Klopp’s not getting too far ahead, though, and is only focused on the short term.

The German said: “I enjoy the situation that we are in. That’s what I do.

“What I don’t enjoy, and I understand it’s normal, are the questions about it because we’re considered to have won the games already.

“I really want to win tomorrow but if we lose, you all sit here and tell me the title race is over and these kind of things.

“I don’t have enough capacity for all these scenarios so I don’t think about it. I only think about West Ham, Inter and Brighton and they’re all difficult to play.

“I’m only smart enough to focus on one game.

“We are not in the worst moment but there are so many challenges. I don’t feel in a chasing mood, I just hope we’re ready and play better than we did there (at West Ham, having lost 3-2 in November).”