Liverpool fitness update: When injured players could return for Jurgen Klopp

The international break may not be popular among football fans, but it could be incredibly useful for Liverpool ahead of the busy winter period.

The Reds enter the third international break of the season having beaten Brentford 3-0 at Anfield last Sunday, taking Jurgen Klopp's side to second in the Premier League table after 12 league matches.

After drawing to Luton Town and losing to Toulouse last week, a victory against Brentford was vital. The Reds put in an accomplished performance to grab all three points, despite Klopp having to cope with an abundance of absentees.

Liverpool were without a host of midfield players, while Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate were surprising omissions from the squad after late injuries.

With Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium straight up after the international break, Klopp will want as many players available to him as humanly possible.

Let's take a look at when Liverpool's injured personnel could return.

IBRAHIMA KONATE

The Frenchman was expected to line up alongside the returning Virgil van Dijk on Sunday, but was nowhere to be seen in Klopp's matchday squad.

Unfortunately, such last-minute absences have been all too regular with the centre-back, who has struggled with injuries since arriving on Merseyside.

Fortunately for the Reds, Konate's latest setback isn't deemed too serious. The 24-year-old picked up a slight muscle issue in the warm-up for the Toulouse game on Thursday, but is only expected to be missing for two weeks.

As a result, he will miss out on teaming up with the French national team over the November international break, with France coach Didier Deschamps confirming the injury is not too serious.

Expected return: Man City vs Liverpool - 25/11/2023

CURTIS JONES

Liverpool knew they would be without the midfielder for the visit of Brentford at the weekend, but Jones will not be out for too much longer.

Klopp has reassured supporters that he will be available for selection after the international break.

"Curtis had a hamstring [problem] not massive. After the international break, he will be back but before not. It's a low, low-grade hamstring," said the Liverpool boss.

Expected return: Man City vs Liverpool - 25/11/2023

RYAN GRAVENBERCH

There were slim hopes that Gravenberch would be fit for last weekend's clash after missing the game with Toulouse with a minor knee injury.

The Dutchman added his name to a lengthy list of midfield absentees for Brentford though, with Cody Gakpo dropping into midfield to take his place against the Bees.

Luckily, Gravenberch's injury is not serious, with Klopp insisting that he will be fit after the international break.

"Ryan got a little niggle in the knee, nothing major," said the German before Sunday's match. "We hope there's a chance for Brentford and he will definitely be back after the international break."

Expected return: Man City vs Liverpool - 25/11/2023

JOE GOMEZ

The Liverpool defender has been used across the backline in recent weeks, even featuring at left-back against Luton and in the second half against Toulouse.

Gomez was expected to be on the bench at the very least against Brentford, but was missing from the squad.

"We will see how serious it is. But they are unavailable today, so that's the reason for the changes," said Klopp regarding Gomez and Konate's absences against Brentford

"In this part of the season, a lot of teams struggle a bit with injuries. It's the same for us in the moment, so that's how it is and we have to deal with it, and we do that."

The Liverpool boss didn't shed much light on the specific nature of Gomez's absence, or the timeframe for his return, but hopefully the Englishman's issue is not serious.

Gomez has started four of Liverpool's last five games, more than he has been used to in recent months. Perhaps the minutes have caught up with the 26-year-old.

ANDY ROBERTSON

The Scotsman underwent surgery after dislocating his shoulder during the last international break, with the left-back expected to be sidelined for a significant period of time.

The initial timeframe for his injury was three to four months, meaning Robertson won't be back until next year.

Expected return: January/February 2024

THIAGO ALCANTARA

Will we ever see Thiago play for Liverpool again?

The Spaniard is yet to step foot on the pitch this season as his injury woes continue and he has already suffered several setbacks this term after his surgery earlier in the year."We expect him to be back - and I would say probably the start of the New Year," said Klopp.

"It’s now already November, so that would mean another four weeks. I would say that’s probably a realistic thing to try and I can’t wait, to be honest, to have him back.

"The player he is is just exceptional. I understand you ask, but it’s nothing where we can have a week by week update because that will not change a lot in this moment."

Expected return: January 2024

STEFAN BAJCETIC

The 19-year-old suffered a season-ending injury towards the end of last term having been unexpectedly thrust into the first team. The Spaniard's impressive performances means he has still been a big miss this campaign despite being a teenager.

Bajcetic did return to make two appearances this season in September, but has been missing since.Klopp said on Bajcetic: "No, we don’t know [when he will be back]. With Stefan it’s, again, one of these things. Stefan’s quality, potential, talent, everybody could see and it’s incredible - what a player - but the body was not ready yet.

"They are still growing these boys and they are all different; we have other players with a different, what is it, skeleton, a different body where OK that’s fine and for other players it is a bit too early. We just have to put the break on again and just wait until that’s all fine.

"Then Liverpool FC has a wonderful player to use, but there is absolutely no time that we can put on that and we will not. We just have to wait.

"He is here, he is training, he is doing his stuff, we are building his [fitness]. We know how he good he is and now we have to make sure we help him to get a body to show that, and not only once but then three times a week.

"We will get there [and that will be] very good news for the club, [but] in the moment we cannot use him and that’s all."

Expected return: Unknown