Liverpool handed double midfield boost ahead of Chelsea clash

Neither man was part of the matchday squad for Sunday's 5-2 thrashing of Norwich City in the FA Cup, although Mac Allister's problem was nothing more serious than a knock.

Meanwhile, Thiago has not been seen in a Liverpool shirt since April last year due to a severe hip injury, and the Spaniard's return has also been delayed by a couple of setbacks, although he survived the summer midfield cull despite his perpetual fitness concerns.

Addressing the media in Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Klopp delivered the positive news that both Mac Allister and Thiago were working on the Kirkby pitches again, although the latter will still need time to build up his match fitness after nine months out.

"Macca trained yesterday so he should be fine. Thiago trained [for the] first time, which was an incredible moment after all the months he couldn't," the German said.

"And then training at the level he trains - oof! But he needs time. But it's anyway a wonderful sign for yesterday. Nobody [new] out, the other boys still in."

With Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai also earning minutes off the bench at the weekend, Liverpool are only without Thiago, Wataru Endo (international), Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) and Mohamed Salah (muscle) for the visit of the Blues.

Salah returned to Anfield after sustaining his problem at the Africa Cup of Nations, and without their star attacker in the XI, the Pharaohs suffered a heartbreaking last-16 exit on penalties to DR Congo over the weekend.

Had Egypt still been competing in the AFCON by the time he had made a full recovery, Salah would have returned to Ivory Coast to link up with his nation, but he is now only looking ahead to a return in Liverpool colours.

Klopp has confessed that it will still be a while before the former Chelsea man is back in contention, though, adding: "Mo is not ready for this game, not ready for the next game and then not.

"He is injured, I'm not sure if that was a misunderstanding in the beginning. He is injured and a muscle injury takes time. It could have been much worse but he is not available in the moment, he is just doing his rehab."

The outgoing Liverpool boss also addressed striking comments made by captain Virgil van Dijk, who recently cast doubt over his Anfield future in the wake of Klopp's bombshell exit announcement, claiming that he does not know if he will be a part of the club's new era.

However, Klopp has shot down any concerns over Van Dijk's job security at Liverpool and accused the media of "underestimating" the intelligence of Liverpool fans, adding: "It's completely normal. It's clear the outside world will not give you a second to process it.

"A week ago no-one knew about my situation. There was still 18 months on their contracts and no-one asked, so give us a break. No-one has to worry. Write what you want, the club is stable.

"Everything will be fine, I'm 100% sure. I would recommend to stay calm. Very often the fans' concerns are not as big as you might think. You underestimate the intelligence of our supporters."

Liverpool hold a five-point lead at the top of the table heading into the midweek round of fixtures, although Arsenal and Aston Villa can both move to within two points of the Reds with victories against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United respectively on Tuesday.