Thiago facing another potential spell on the sideline as boss Jürgen Klopp provides injury update

Liverpool’s Thiago could be facing injury concern

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp may be made to sweat it out over the fitness of Spanish international midfielder Thiago after the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona maestro pulled up injured in the Reds 3-0 win against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Thiago was removed after 62-minutes of action at Anfield, and Klopp confirmed in his post-match comments that his situation lacks clarity at the moment.

Jurgen Klopp confirms Thiago needs to be assessed. “He felt the calf. I don’t know right now but we hope it is not too serious.”

🚑 Table: https://t.co/WLj5Dp28Mi#LFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) September 18, 2021

It is another unfortunate turn of events for the Liverpool man in a career that has already seen him sidelined with a number of serious injuries – particularly involving his knee(s) – dating back to 2009-10.

And the timing could not be worse either, after Klopp recently reflected on Thiago and his first year at the club while going on record stating that the club and its fans will soon see the best of a player he labeled as “world class.”

“The start was not perfect because he got Covid and got injured early. That makes everything a little more difficult. He showed what kind of a player he can and will be for us, so there is much more to come.

It is now a year, but really it is actually only half a year because of all the things that happened; coming into a new club in the most difficult period of all our lives. He settled really well. His family is here and he is in the middle of the team and a really good character and personality, and obviously a world-class player.”

Substitute appearance could put Keita in line to replace

One man’s misfortune is often another man’s gain, and in the case of Naby Keita, the former RB Leipzig standout could be in-line to replace Thiago should the Spaniard face another spell on the treatment table.

Jurgen Klopp on Naby Keita:

“Naby…wow!” #awlive [bbc]

— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 18, 2021

Keita came on as his replacement with just under 30-minutes remaining and did himself no harm to state his case to get a run in the match day XI should the chance arise, much to the delight of his manager.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JUNE 21: Naby Keita of Liverpool battles for possession with Andre Gomes of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on June 21, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)

There are hardly a plethora of options afforded to Klopp when it comes to central areas, either. Apart from the aforementioned pair, the German headmaster has just Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and academy graduate Curtis Jones as true central options despite the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner deputizing through the middle in the past.

If there ever was a chance for Keita to stake a real claim for his status in the first-team set up, the time could very well be now.