KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool will take on Southampton in the league Tuesday
  • The match is an away fixture for the Reds at St.Mary's Stadium
  • The Reds have just two games left in the 2021-22 Premier League

Jurgen Klopp has provided a crucial update on injured Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk ahead of Liverpool FC's must-win game against Southampton.

Salah and Van Dijk were forced off the field during Liverpool's FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. While the Reds lifted their second trophy of the 2021-22 season, Klopp received a new injury headache in the form of Salah and Van Dijk.

Salah, who is Premier League's leading goal scorer this season, picked up a groin injury in the first half and was replaced by Diogo Jota. Van Dijk suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Joel Matip at the half-time break.

When reporters quizzed Klopp about Salah and Van Dijk's availability on the eve of the Southampton game, the German boss replied, "No. Virg definitely not but that was pretty much clear before the [Chelsea] game already that I thought, 'OK, this is the game now.' He played really a lot and then Saturday-Tuesday again. It was clear."

However, Klopp assured the Reds fans that both Salah and Van Dijk are doing OK and were expected to be ready for Liverpool's final league game of the season, which is against Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.

"They are both OK. So, the target would be for both that they can be involved again on the weekend. Properly involved, bench or whatever and a few minutes or start, I don't know, we will see that because that would then be perfect for the game [Champions League final]. But if not then we take each day afterward. But we are very positive, or [have] no doubt about the final. I'm pretty realistic about the Wolves game, but tomorrow rather not," Klopp added.

Klopp also confirmed that defensive midfielder Fabinho is recovering "well" from his hamstring injury but he will not be a part of Liverpool's match-day squad Tuesday, according to Liverpool's website. Fabinho picked up the injury during Liverpool's 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the league at home.

Main Mane: Sadio Mane (left) scored the winner as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-1
Liverpool FC are chasing a historic quadruple AFP / Paul ELLIS

Klopp's Liverpool are four points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race with two games in hand, including Tuesday's match at St. Mary's Stadium. For the Reds to have a chance at the league title, Man City will have to lose or draw against Aston Villa, their final league game of the 2021-22 campaign.

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