Jurgen Klopp press conference: Liverpool boss on Salah’s return to squad but Alexander-Arnold and Matip miss G

Mohamed Salah is in Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League clash at Genk after missing out on their draw at Manchester United last weekend.

The forward did not play the 1-1 draw as he had not recovered from an ankle injury but is in contention to face the Belgian side.

You can listen to full commentary of Genk vs Liverpool LIVE on talkSPORT on Wednesday, kick-off 8pm.

On Salah’s fitness, Klopp said in his press conference: “It looks promising.

“Yesterday we weren’t sure, today it looks good but we won’t take any risks. We will see how he does overnight.”

Defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold (illness) and Joel Matip (knee) have not made the trip, which means it is likely Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez will start.

Klopp said: “I hope he [Alexander-Arnold] will be okay later this week.

“He’s ill, I was told. We had contact this morning, that’s how it is. These things happen at this time of year to all people, football players as well. He won’t be the last player to be ill.

And on Matip, the German added: “We thought it would be a two-week thing before Man United.

“It’s not a serious thing but it’s serious enough for him not to play tomorrow.”

The European champions dominated the Ballon d’Or’s 30-man shortlist which was announced on Monday.

SEVEN Reds made the cut – goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and forwards Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

However, Klopp suggested more players could have made it on the shortlist.

He said: “My question was, who has not been nominated? When players win it, it is big. When they don’t, hopefully it doesn’t hurt too much.

“The way we played last season it’s normal so many would be nominated by the experts.”

Although Genk are currently bottom of Group E, Klopp is not taking them lightly.

He also called on his players to show better form on the road in the groups than they did last season as Liverpool lost all three away matches in the groups.

Klopp added: “In general the Champions League was very good the last few years, but we know we have to improve.

“Last year we were lucky given how tight the group was that we lost three times away and could still get through. That won’t happen this year.

“It’s a really good football-playing team. They are organised and brave in their positioning.

“They don’t play with the pressing line too much but go for second balls, have speed and good midfielders and very active full-backs.

James Milner is set to return in midfield, where manager Jurgen Klopp could look to bring in fresh legs from the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Adam Lallana.

The midfielder, 34, who sat alongside Klopp at the press conference, also spoke about his contract situation as his deal runs out in the summer.

Milner said: “As a player you want to play. Every time you have a chance you need to make it difficult for the manager to leave you out.

“Having that amount of games is what happens when you are successful. All the players are used to it now.

“There have been [contract] talks. Hopefully it gets resolved and I will keep playing football for as long as I can.”