Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still working their way back to full fitness after long-term injury lay-offs.
The Reds pair were both handed starts in their 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over MK Dons on Wednesday night.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is slowly progressing after a long-term knee injury that ruled him out of the majority of the 2018/19 campaign while Keita made his first appearance since the Community Shield after six weeks out with a hip injury.
And Klopp has admitted the midfield duo are yet to return to their best following their lengthy absences.
Asked about Keita’s performance, he said: “We don’t have to say [anything definitive] now. Obviously it looked good in moments, but he has to adapt to the position again.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
“We saw it with Ox as well, that’s how it is if you’re out for a while, but in moments you saw what an incredible player he is.
“We don’t have to rush it now hopefully, but we can use him now.”
Liverpool played the generation game at MK Dons with Klopp praising the old and new as the Reds saw off their hosts to set up a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Arsenal .
Klopp altered his entire starting line-up from Sunday’s win at Chelsea but they were still too strong for their Sky Bet League One opposition, running out comfortable 2-0 winners as Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to start a competitive match for the club.
The 16-year-old put in an accomplished display and twice hit the crossbar as James Milner profited from terrible goalkeeping from Stuart Moore to put the Reds in front before young defender Ki-Jana Hoever wrapped up a comfortable win with his first goal for the club.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
While there were plenty of positives to take from the youngsters, Klopp was delighted with the performance from evergreen Milner as the 33-year-old set an example for his precocious team-mates to follow.
“This man is on fire,” Klopp replied when asked about Milner’s contribution.
“This is how it is, it is good. It helps a lot and he is a real role model for young players. If we could play every day he would be like this every day – that is how it is.
“The team had a lack of experience and a lack of rhythm and the player with the most experience and rhythm was the best player tonight.
“We were here to win the game, no other reason, so I am so happy we went through, that is cool.”
