15 March 2024 , 16:45
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Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Curtis Jones should return to the Liverpool squad after the international break - with Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold back in the fold soon after.
The Reds visit Manchester United in a highly-anticipated FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon fresh from completing an 11-2 aggregate trouncing of Sparta Prague - with star man Mohamed Salah looking sharp again after his recent lay-off.
And their hopes of ending Klopp’s final campaign at Anfield with four trophies, having already secured the EFL Cup last month, have been boosted further with the expectation that three more important players are close to coming back.
Jones has been out for a month since injuring his ankle in the league win away to Brentford, while Jota suffered a knee injury in the same game. Alexander-Arnold is out with a knee injury.
"Curtis [has a chance after the international break] then Diogo and Trent the week after, they have a chance,” Klopp said.
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Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has trained this week and is available for selection and Klopp also provided an update on teenage Spanish holding midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, adding: “He feels something but it's not injuries, it's intensity.
"We don't want to use him before he's really ready. His body was not really ready for the intensity. He is in a much better place now but we have to wait. [He will be] part of team training after the international break."
However, Liverpool remain without a stack of regulars for the trip to face an inconsistent United. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, midfielder Thiago Alcantara, and defenders Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip are all still absent owing to injuries.
Curtis Jones has been sidelined since hurting his ankle at Brentford a month ago. (PA)And with a tight turnaround from their European tie, Klopp said United’s full week to prepare may have an impact. “Again we have a situation where we have played Thursday and we handled it,” he added.
“United have had a full week to prepare. [Erik] Ten Hag knows how to play so he will lineup some challenges but we have to be ready anyway. As much as it's possible, I enjoy [these games].
“It is always a tough place to go. It means everything to both fan groups, we know that. We will try to show that on the pitch with the work rate but we never know. No guarantees, just opportunities. We will give it a try."
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