Posted by allcitynews.ng

 

Liverpool are suffering with a minor injury crisis in central midfield after Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all picked up complaints this summer

• By Tom Blow

Curtis Jones has returned to training ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

The England youth international, 21, hasn’t played for the Reds since suffering a calf injury in their Community Shield victory against Manchester City at the end of July. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is missing a number of central midfielders at the moment, including Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.

Jones’ return to fitness comes after Klopp and Reds owner John Henry agreed on signing a new central midfielder. That player is not expected to arrive before Thursday’s transfer deadline, although club chiefs will continue to stay alert in case an opportunity arises.

Liverpool supporters will be pleased to know Calvin Ramsay and Joel Matip have also returned to training. It’s unclear whether either those defenders or Jones will be available for their upcoming game against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

The Reds have suffered this season due to their minor injury crisis, picking up just five points from their first four Premier League games. They did get their first win of the term on Saturday afternoon, hammering Bournemouth 9-0 at Anfield.

Speaking ahead of that game, Klopp admitted: “I know we have had this discussion since it all started and I am the one who said we don’t need a midfielder and you were all right and I was wrong. That’s the situation. There is really nothing more to say about it.