Hip problem could see Thiago miss Merseyside derby

Thiago Alcantara is an injury concern for Liverpool ahead of Monday's Merseyside derby against Everton.

The Spain international has not trained because of a hip problem and his potential absence offsets the likely return of long-term injured forward Diogo Jota.

"Yeah, Thiago has some problems," said manager Jurgen Klopp.

"I know the problems, but I have to ask the medical department what I am allowed to say about it. Hip flexor, stuff like this, that's it pretty much. He wasn't able to train."

Jota has not featured since mid-October because of a calf injury.

"Diogo is the closest, he trains now normal already for two days, so another three days (of) training is possible for him," Klopp added.

"I think he is in contention for the squad, I would say, but we have to wait a little bit."

Fellow forward Roberto Firmino is also closing in on a return, having been out since November, with defender Virgil van Dijk unlikely to be ready for Monday despite returning to individual training after a hamstring injury