Pep Lijnders provides an injury update on Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Naby Keita & more

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has provided an injury update on Luis Diaz, Naby Keita, James Milner, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip

Ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round, Pep Lijnders, Liverpool's assistant manager, has provided a key update on a lot of the Reds' injured players.

"Naby will be difficult, he’s still training individually. Let’s see for Southampton. Millie will definitely be ready for Southampton but this game [against Derby] comes too early for tomorrow," Lijnders said in his Derby press conference, as cited by Anfield Watch.

"Then we have of course Joel, who is getting closer to team training but will not make Southampton probably. The longer injuries, Luis Diaz is running for the first time on Thursday.

"That’s good news because we all know how important he was last year and in the second half of the season. And Jota will take longer.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

This is great news for Liverpool. Having Joel Matip as a competent back-up for Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will be a lot of weight off their shoulders. Even though James Milner isn't a starter anymore, he has proven that when called upon, the veteran midfielder turns up which is exactly what Jurgen Klopp's side need currently.

Naby Keita's situation is a bit of a weird one. He picked up an injury whilst recovering from an injury. I love Naby but this seems to be the end of his Liverpool career in my opinion. I would not be surprised if we have already seen the Guinea international's last game for the Reds.

The two bigs one, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz! The attacking duo seem to be progressing well and with Diaz now running, it seems like he will be ready for Liverpool's training camp in Dubai during the World Cup. Hopefully Jota will be ready for this extended winter break with him not heading to Qatar due to this injury.