Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp refuses to rule Thiago out of Champions League final despite hamstring issue

Liverpool suffer another huge injury blow ahead of their Champions League final with Real Madrid as a disconsolate Thiago walks off with a hamstring issue with Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk already doubts for Paris

  • Thiago Alcantara was forced off in first-half stoppage time at home to Wolves
  • The 31-year-old had been excellent until then and assisted Liverpool’s first goal
  • He was replaced by James Milner as Liverpool came from behind to beat Wolves
  • Thiago is now a doubt for next Saturday’s Champions League final in Paris 

Thiago Alcantara will be given every chance to prove his fitness for the Champions League final on Saturday night after he suffered suspected hamstring damage.

The Spain midfielder, 31, has been a huge player for Liverpool in recent months and he was the reason they were able to get back into the game against Wolves, his glorious backheel flick creating the opportunity for Sadio Mane to equalise.

Bruno Lage’s well-drilled side had difficulty following Thiago into the pockets of space that he tried to inflict damage from.

Thiago Alcantara was forced off with an injury in first-half stoppage time against Wolves

But there was collective intake of breath before half-time at Anfield yesterday when he gestured to the bench and walked off the pitch.

Thiago was replaced by James Milner at half-time and emerged from the dressing room 20 minutes into the second period. The midfielder was wearing tracksuit pants and it was clear to see he had a major strapping on his right thigh.

Jurgen Klopp was reluctant to go into detail about the nature of the injury — Thiago will undergo scans today — but the Liverpool manager was careful not to rule him out of the clash with Real Madrid completely.

‘It’s not good but I cannot say more,’ said Klopp. ‘He was outside with the families and had his little girl on his shoulders, so he could walk — that’s obviously a good sign. All the rest… we will see from tomorrow.’

The Spain international is now a doubt for next week's Champions League final in Paris

The Spain international is now a doubt for next week’s Champions League final in Paris

Asked about the nature of the injury, Klopp replied: ‘The lower part of the body! I know it but I don’t want to talk now about it actually.

‘We will see. Give us a chance. It makes the news not better or worse.

‘We want to wait until we know more about it and then you will get the information as well.’

Injuries have become a theme of the final throes of this season for Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk sat out the game with Wolves as a consequence of a knee issue sustained in the FA Cup final victory against Chelsea last Saturday while midfielder Fabinho has not played since hobbling off against Aston Villa 13 days ago.

Jurgen Klopp will be desperate for him to be fit in time for their clash with Real Madrid

Jurgen Klopp will be desperate for him to be fit in time for their clash with Real Madrid

Both are expected to start against Madrid but definitely out of the squad for the trip to Paris is Divock Origi, who was given an emotional send-off with a guard of honour.

The Belgium striker, who has scored so many big goals for Klopp, is leaving next month.

‘Div is definitely out for the final because he had an injury in the last second of the training session yesterday, he had a muscle injury,’ said Klopp, who described Origi as a ‘legend’. ‘Five days will not be enough for him. Apart from that, hopefully Thiago will have a chance.’