MatchNewcastle United v Liverpool: Team news
Liverpool will continue to be without Roberto Firmino but Kostas Tsimikas has returned to training ahead of Saturday's trip to Newcastle United.
Firmino remains sidelined with the foot injury he sustained against Manchester City at Wembley earlier this month and is ruled out of the lunchtime Premier League kick-off.
Curtis Jones and Tsimikas missed the midweek Champions League defeat of Villarreal due to illness and there was a mixed report on the duo from Jürgen Klopp on Friday.
“Kostas was back yesterday, Curtis couldn’t train yesterday,” said the manager, who extended his contract with the club this week, at his pre-match press conference.
On Firmino and the rest of the squad, he said: “Bobby, it is not a serious injury, we are all still kind of convinced, but it takes now a little bit longer already than we all thought, especially Bobby thought as well.
“He will not be ready for tomorrow, Bobby. He didn’t train yet. We have to get further information and find a way to get him back. That’s it pretty much, I think.”
Diogo Jota could reach the landmark of 50 Premier League appearances for the Reds, while Jordan Henderson’s next game will take him to a half-century this season.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confirmed his side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Liverpool’s visit to the north east.
He does not expect Kieran Trippier or Callum Wilson to be back available for the encounter at St. James’ Park, however, and Ryan Fraser is not yet in training following a hamstring issue.
Howe said of Trippier and Wilson: “We definitely won’t rush them back. We won’t put them at risk but if they’re fit we’ll use them like any other player. I think that’s important. They’ve had targets and goals to hit and when you’re injured it’s important you have those things.
“Kieran we’ve seen on the grass and he’s trained with us for one session. Callum isn’t quite there yet but he’s edging closer and is doing a lot of work with the sports science team.”
He added: “Ryan has been out on the grass but he’s not trained. We’re taking it careful with him as hamstring injuries are notoriously difficult. Will he play again this season? I’m not sure at this moment in time but it’s not a serious injury.”
Last match
Norwich City 0-3 Newcastle (April 23): Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Targett, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock, Murphy, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal (April 27): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Diaz, Salah, Mane.