Jurgen Klopp confirms Alisson, Diogo Jota will miss Community Shield

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson has been hampered by an abdominal issue in pre-season and has not featured since the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, there are fears that Jota has suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury he sustained while on Nations League duty with Portugal last month.

Alisson was pictured in Liverpool training on Thursday, raising hopes that he could be available for the showdown with the Premier League champions.

However, Klopp confirmed at his pre-game press conference that Alisson will not be available for the contest, and Jota also has "no chance" of making the cut, but the former will return for August's Premier League opener with Fulham.

"No, Alisson and Diogo have no [chance]. Ali trained today more than the day before so he will be definitely available for Fulham, but not for the weekend," Klopp told reporters.

"And the same for Diogo. Diogo was not here with us so how could he play a football game? That will take a while unfortunately. That's it."

With Caoimhin Kelleher also nursing an injury in pre-season, Adrian will likely be given the nod in between the sticks after featuring in most of the Reds' pre-season friendlies.

Klopp was also quizzed on the future of Roberto Firmino, who has entered the final year of his Anfield contract and now has added competition up top in the form of Darwin Nunez.

A recent report claimed that Juventus were 'very close' to signing Firmino, but Klopp has affirmed that the Brazilian is the "heart and soul" of his Liverpool team.

"Bobby is crucial for us. Bobby is [the] heart and soul of this team," Klopp added. "The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby.

"That's why I'm really happy he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far and everything looks really good.

"I am absolutely fine and, for me, there's no doubt about his quality. All the rest, we will see how this year goes, but yes, he is essential for us."

Liverpool are aiming to win the Community Shield for the 16th time on Saturday, but not since 2006 have the Merseyside club lifted the trophy.

The annual curtain-raiser will take place at the King Power instead of Wembley due to the Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany, which kicks off at 5pm on Sunday.