'Why is he not playing?' - Jurgen Klopp discusses timelines on injured Liverpool pair

Jurgen Klopp failed to rule out the possibility that Thiago Alcantara may never play for Liverpool again, while confirming that Stefan Bajcetic will not be back soon either.

Thiago has featured just once so far in 2023/24, making a brief cameo during Liverpool's Premier League defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.

That sub appearance was the 32-year-old's first in ten months, following a long layoff after hip surgery. The veteran midfielder had been expected back much earlier but his recovery was beset by complications.

Following the Arsenal game, it was reported that Thiago had suffered another issue and would return to the sidelines for treatment, while he has yet to return to team training.

Bajcetic, meanwhile, has faced similarly dragged out injury issues.

The 19-year-old's breakout season in 2022/23 was cut short by an adductor problem and he has only been able to make two appearances this campaign.

With Liverpool's injury list now almost as long as the one of available players, a return for either midfielder in the near future would be a significant boost, as Jurgen Klopp's men head into a key period.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup fifth round tie against Southampton, the manager addressed the issues the pair are facing.

Thiago future unknown

Asked about whether Thiago, whose contract expires this summer, could play again this season, Klopp answered: "I don't know to be honest.

"What he has to do now from a medical point of view, I don't know if that will mean he can play again. That's not a short-term thing. That's why I'm not really in [the know on] the subject. It's not that he might be in training in two weeks or stuff like this. That's why I'm not 100% in it. I cannot say more to be honest."

Thiago was linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, Spain and Turkey last summer but ultimately stayed at Anfield and will see out the four-year contract he signed back in 2020. His last start for Liverpool came in the 3-0 defeat to Wolves in February 2023.

Bajcetic running around like 'wow'

Meanwhile on Bajcetic, Klopp was able to give a slightly more upbeat update, revealing that the youngster is 'pain-free' and looks impressive in individual training.

"I had lunch here and saw him training. I sat there and thought 'why is he not playing?'" Klopp laughed.

"He's obviously gaining fitness now. he's running around like 'wow!' He's doing everything but he didn't get [the] green light yet for us for the team training. And there's nobody in this building who wants to hold him back, so there might be some reasons.

"He's pain-free, completely pain-free, which is the most important thing. All checks we made, scans again, bone looks good, all fine.

"Now we just need to make sure of the moment [we decide] we use him again in normal training because the difficulty of football is such a complex sport for the body.

"For me he looks good, but how good, I get told. I cannot decide. Nobody told me he will be back soon."

Ahead of the clash with Southampton, Liverpool may face as many as 12 absent first-team players through injury, while more are expected to be rested after their exploits in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.