Jurgen Klopp says he doesn’t expect Thiago Alcantara to join up with the Spain squad for the international break. And the Liverpool boss is convinced the midfielder will be back to his best on the other side of the break in mid-November.
Jurgen Klopp said “Until we see him at his absolute best, it is probably [after the international break], because he needs to train. But we have three games in between now and then, so I would not rule him out for the next games if he trains normally. Is he ready to get minutes? Maybe. If I go downstairs now to the sports science department and they tell me everything looked like he could go for 60 minutes and I say ‘well let’s have a look if we can use him tomorrow.’ But I don’t expect that. The plan is he now has a block of days for proper, proper training on the pitch, with the ball, and with the team, plus extra training [on top of that.]. But after the international break I expect him 100 per cent back. If he can be back earlier we will have to see if that is possible. No I don’t expect him to [go with Spain], but that doesn’t mean anything. I have no idea. He was injured the whole time, he was not with them last time, I don’t know if they are in talks. I haven’t spoken to Thiago [about that] yet.”