Liverpool team news: Jurgen Klopp updates on Alexis Mac Allister fitness ahead of Newcastle

Jurgen Klopp has suggested there is a possibility that Alexis Mac Allister could be involved in Liverpool's clash against Newcastle on Monday.

The Reds take on Newcastle at Anfield on New Year's Day, as they head into the second half of the 2023/24 season top of the table.

Mac Allister has been out of action since earlier in December when he suffered a deep cut to his knee in the win over Sheffield United.

The World Cup winner had been Klopp's preferred choice at the base of midfield, though Wataru Endo has impressed in his absence – starting all six games since.

Speaking to the press ahead of Monday's game, Klopp hinted that Mac Allister could make his return against Newcastle, but no decision has been made yet.

“Macca, we will see what he can do today – if he can step into team training or not,” Klopp said, via Liverpoolfc.com.

“The decision is not done yet, it’s pretty early and the Doc is not here; or maybe he is here but I didn’t see him yet. So, we will see.”

Regardless of Mac Allister's fitness, Endo is set to be available for the game. However, the Japan captain is set for his own period of absence as he departs for the Asian Cup later in January.

Meanwhile, Klopp also gave updates on Liverpool's other injured players, suggesting Andy Robertson may not return until the end of January, as he continues his slow recovery from shoulder surgery.

“Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder,” Klopp revealed. “Obviously it was a big surgery. [He is] still not even close to team training or whatever.

“Can do a lot, everything without using the arm properly, which is obviously good but on the other side shows us we still have a long way to go. For sure, I think, the full January he has to get closer and closer.”

On injured midfielders Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic, Klopp added: “I think Thiago will be at one point in team training. With Stefan, if you ask Stefan how he feels, he says ‘good’. ‘Could you train?’ Yes, he could. It’s just we have to be sensible. That’s how it is.

“It’s a growing issue, it’s not growing [increasing] but because of his growing, his age and stuff like this. So we just have to be careful. He could train today fully and then maybe tomorrow as well and then not [for] five weeks. It’s a medical decision, it’s not by the boy, it’s not by me.

“It’s just that’s how you have to do it if something like this happens. And that makes it so annoying for the boy.

“Thiago is in a very good moment as well but we just have to make sure we don’t use him then too early. The hip thing in and around that area is just a long-term thing as well.

“There were for sure days where he could have easily trained but it’s all about how can he be back then in the long term, and that’s what we are working on.”

Newcastle face their own injury issues and are likely to be without as many as nine first team stars for the trip to Anfield.