Liverpool team news: Injured Naby Keita recovering ahead of schedule but unlikely to feature in Champions League final
Naby Keita is unlikely to be fit to feature in next week’s Champions League final despite the Liverpool midfielder recovering from a thigh problem ahead of schedule.The Guinea international could, however, be back in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on June 21.Keita tore an adductor muscle in the 3-0 semi-final first leg defeat in Barcelona and the initial prognosis was a two-month absence.Keita’s season ended prematurely when he suffered an injury playing against Barcelonagetty2
Keita’s season ended prematurely when he suffered an injury playing against Barcelona
But having responded well to treatment the midfielder, who is out in Marbella with the rest of the squad preparing for the June 1 clash with Tottenham in Madrid, has now returned to running.“Naby is, I would say, a bit ahead of schedule, but that doesn’t mean anything for the final,” manager Jurgen Klopp said.“He is now doing straight runs and all of that stuff, he feels comfortable with 50 per cent intensity and these things – but there is still a way to go.“I know about the issues with Guinea and stuff like that; we don’t want to keep a player out if he can play – maybe they think it is like this, but it is not like this.“For me, it would be good if Naby would be 100 per cent fit and could play the Africa Cup of Nations, to be honest. “But we don’t know, we will see, and we need to work together with their medical department because in the end, a player who is fit – from my point of view – who can play, should play for his country.“If he is not 100 per cent fit, he cannot play. That’s how it is. It looks good, very positive and we will see if there is a chance.”Roberto Firmino, the forward, is on course to play in the final after recovering from a thigh problem he aggravated in the Nou Camp.“Bobby looks really good. It was not too long out, but of course we are still careful and want to make sure nothing happens,” added Klopp. “We have a few days still and want to use them, that’s why he is in, out, in, out.”Firmino returned to training on Wednesday and is expected to complete a full session on Thursdaygetty2
Firmino returned to training on Wednesday and is expected to complete a full session on Thursday
Meanwhile, Liverpool were the luckiest team in 2018/19 at avoiding bookings, research by Paddy Power Games reveals.The Reds committed fewer fouls than anyone else in the Premier League this season (315), but still only received 39 cards (two reds, 37 yellows).This means just 12.38 per cent of their fouls resulted in a booking. To put this into perspective, this means a Liverpool player was 70.5 per cent less likely to be booked for a foul than a Burnley player.The aforementioned Firmino and Keita were the masters of avoiding punishment in the Premier League, with neither player shown a card in 2018/19 despite committing 38 and 25 fouls respectively.

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Incredibly, Firmino committed more fouls than 90 per cent of his fellow Premier League players, yet did not get shown a single yellow or red card!A Paddy Power Games spokesperson said: “The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton are this seasons Sopranos the crimes are evident, but they are experts at avoiding punishment. It may be down to some big club bias, but to consistently escape punishment also requires some luck.“Whereas Liverpool fans can be buoyed ahead of the Champions League Final, it is telling that smaller clubs seem to be dealt with more severely. Burnley and Sean Dyche would be well-advised to start a hotel chain given how likely they are to receive bookings, while Fabian Schar [the Newcastle defender] is more likely to get booked than Prague for a stag do.”

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita's recovery from a thigh problem is ahead of schedule but he is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in the Champions League final.. The Guinea international could
Naby Keita recovering ahead of schedule but unlikely to
fussboll.com/2019/05/24/naby-keita-recovering-ahead-of-schedule-but-unlikely-to-feature-in-champions-league-final/
Naby Keita is unlikely to be fit to feature in next week's Champions League final despite the Liverpool midfielder recovering from a thigh problem ahead of schedule. The Guinea international could, however, be back in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on June 21.
Klopp on Liverpool's Keita and Firmino ahead of CL final

Naby Keita is unlikely to be fit to feature in next week's Champions League final despite the Liverpool midfielder recovering from a thigh problem ahead of schedule. The Guinea international could, however, be back in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on June 21.
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Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita's recovery from a thigh problem is ahead of schedule but he is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in the Champions League final. The Guinea international could
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Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita's recovery from a thigh problem is ahead of schedule but he is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in the Champions League final.. The Guinea international could
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita unlikely to make Champions

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