Liverpool FC

Liverpool handed boost ahead of Genk trip

Mohamed Salah is in contention for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Genk.

Salah missed last Sunday’s draw with Manchester United due to an ankle injury picked up against Leicester City prior to the recent international break.

But the Egypt international has recovered in time for the group fixture in Belgium and took part in the Reds’ pre-match training session at Melwood on Tuesday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, however, will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip after the defenders came down with illness and knee problems respectively.

“Trent is ill and Joel is not ready,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It is just a little thing which usually settles in the two weeks [Matip] had; it did, but then it came up after the United game.

“So now we just have to make sure this time it settles finally, that’s all. It is not a massive injury, it’s just a bit annoying for him and he cannot do it [face Genk].

“Trent got ill overnight; hopefully he can recover quickly, but for tomorrow there was no chance.”

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Xherdan Shaqiri will also be absent for the game at the Luminus Arena as he continues to battle a calf issue which has plagued him for the past month.

“It’s just taken a little bit longer, that’s how it is,” added Klopp.

“We expected him to be back this week, but now he is not here obviously so we will see when he can be back.

“It’s a really specific thing for him. It is not a big thing, it just takes a little bit longer than we expected and that’s all.”