Thiago returns to Liverpool training; Alexis Mac Allister fit for Chelsea clash

Liverpool midfielder Thiago has finally returned to team training after nine months out due to a hip injury.

It has been a torrid spell for the experienced Spain international, who hasn’t played since last April and is out of contract this summer, but he was given the green light to rejoin Jurgen Klopp’s squad for Monday’s session at Kirkby.

“Thiago trained for the first time which was an incredible moment after all the months,” Klopp said. “He needs time but it was a wonderful sign.”

Thiago will not feature in Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield as he builds up his fitness, but Alexis Mac Allister is set to start after sitting out Sunday’s FA Cup win over Norwich City with a minor muscle issue.

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Meanwhile, Klopp insists supporters should be relaxed about the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have all entered the final 18 months of their Liverpool contracts.

Van Dijk has said he’s “very curious” about the direction Liverpool go in when Klopp steps down in May and he “didn’t know” whether he would be part of the new era.

“When I said what I had to say (about leaving), it was clear the outside world wouldn’t give you a second to process it and think about it,” Klopp added.

“Give the boys a break. Nobody has to worry. You can’t wait with these type of questions. Virg didn’t go out and say ‘by the way I want to say…..’. It’s always about the questions.

“This club is stable, 100 per cent. Everything will be fine. I recommend that people stay calm.

“Very often the fans’ concerns aren’t as big as the media might think. You underestimate the IQ of our supporters. We’re in this season and these talks could be part of a possible distraction. That’s the same whether you know the manager for next season or not.

“The club have known about my departure for a while. Tying the players down and then me saying ‘I won’t he here anymore’, they’d be like ‘no-one told us that’, you can’t work like this, especially with the relationship we have.

“There’s enough time to do everything. These players love to be here. I know that for a fact. It’s not that they have one foot out.”

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(Naomi Baker/Getty Images)