Liverpool confirms injury boost at ideal time but Jürgen Klopp decision was obvious anyway

Mohamed Salah and Wataru End are ready to leave Liverpool for the AFCON and Asia Cup, respectively. Jürgen Klopp, on the other hand, has some excellent news for the Reds at the perfect time.

Both Andy Robertson and Thiago Alcântara should be back in Liverpool training by the end of January, though neither has joined their teammates yet. Robertson still has more work to do before he is cleared to return to contact training, and Liverpool will be cautious in reintegrating the pair.

However, there is an immediate injury comeback that will provide a significant boost to Jürgen Klopp at the ideal time. In addition to losing Mohamed Salah to AFCON, Wataru End will be attending the Asia Cup, despite being the Reds’ sole number six in recent weeks.

But, much as Diogo Jota returned in time to deputize for Salah when he left, End’s departure might coincide with Alexis Mac Allister’s return. It remains to be seen whether the Argentine will be fit to play Newcastle, but he has been out since the win over Sheffield United.

“Macca, we’ll see what he can do [in training],” Klopp said earlier today at his pre-Newcastle press conference. “Whether he can participate in team training or not is still up in the air; we’ll see.” If Macca could return for Newcastle, that would be fantastic, but he has to come back relatively soon.”

End has now started seven games in a straight — six due to Mac Allister’s injury, and two of those he came off at halftime — but has really developed into the job. He looked completely at home against the likes of Declan Rice and Martin degaard against Arsenal.

While Japan’s captain has impressed, Mac Allister remains the clear number one pick for the position he has claimed since moving from Brighton. Liverpool’s number 10 is a much superior ball-progressor from deep.