Takumi Minamino will not be eligible to play against Sheffield United on Thursday due to Premier League rules.
Liverpool were hoping the Japan international could make his debut against the Blades, with Jurgen Klopp confirming before the game Minamino would be available.
Minamino officially becomes a Liverpool player on 1 January and Klopp issued an update on his latest signing.
‘For the next game we’ll maybe have two more players,’ Klopp said ahead of the visit of Sheffield to Anfield.
‘Maybe Nat Phillips will be here and Takumi [Minamino].
‘We have to see how he is after the winter break, he trained obviously, but not with the team.’
But the Daily Star claim Premier League rules prevent Minamino from featuring against Sheffield.
Any early January signings cannot play in the following round of fixtures.
‘New players signed on 1-2 January will not be eligible for Matchweek 21,’ Premier League rules state.
‘But they can be made available for the following Matchweeks as clubs are permitted to make changes to their squad lists throughout the January window.’
Minamino will be free to make his debut against Everton when Liverpool welcome their local rivals to Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup.
