Liverpool's Alisson ruled out until mid-October, says Klopp

Reuters Videos

SHOWS: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (SEPTEMBER 13, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING ABOUT FITNESS OF ALISSON BECKER:

"He's improving but we can't put any pressure on it. It was a really serious injury on the calf and it's now much better of course and it's good for us and good for him. But we don't know exactly. The target was always the next international break he could be ready but we don't know. There's not pressure and hopefully everything will be fine for the rest of the season, that's the plan."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING ABOUT FITNESS OF NABY KEITA:

"Naby is close, much closer than Alli (Alisson). I think he could be in training when we come back from Napoli next week. Clyney (Nathaniel Clyne) there obviously far away still."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIVERPOOL MANAGER, JUERGEN KLOPP, SAYING ABOUT DIFFICULTY OF PLAYING NEWCASTLE:

"Newcastle will fight like crazy like they did against Tottenham for example. They've had a couple of good results now. And I'm not sure if somebody wants to ask something about Newcastle I'll put it in this answer already. It's really strange that kind of 20 per cent possession at Tottenham but deserved the points ot be honest, but with this 20 per cent possession they did a lot of really good stuff and it's difficult."

STORY: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be out until after the next international break in mid-October but midfielder Naby Keita should return to training with the first team next week, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday (September 13).

Brazilian Alisson injured his calf in Liverpool's Premier League opener against Norwich City last month and the European champions have kept only one clean sheet in all competitions in his absence so far.

Keita, who suffered a groin injury last month, has missed Liverpool's last three matches.

"Alisson looks good and he is improving, but we cannot put any pressure on it," Klopp told reporters ahead of Saturday's home game against Newcastle United. "It was a really serious injury in the calf.

"It is now much better and that's good for us and good for him, but we don't know exactly (how long it will take). The target was always after the next international break.

"Naby is close. He could be in training when we come back from (Liverpool's Champions League group stage match against) Napoli next week."

Newcastle are 14th in the table under new manager Steve Bruce but Klopp is not taking them lightly after they beat Tottenham Hotspur away last month.

"They are very difficult to play against," the German said. "The style is similar to last season. They defend with a big heart. It won't be easy.

"I'm really impressed by the things they have done so far. Newcastle had something like 20% possession against Tottenham but they deserved the three points. They will fight like crazy."

Liverpool are seeking their fifth victory of the season and a club record-extending 14th straight top flight win. Klopp's side are also unbeaten at Anfield in their last 40 league matches.

"It was clear we had to change things," he said. "We had to make Anfield a fortress again. We created a proper basis together, it became more difficult for teams to get something."