'Not even close' - Andy Robertson injury update issued by Jurgen Klopp with Alexis Mac Allister and Thiago Alcantara recovery timelines also revealed

Robertson dislocated his shoulder while away on international duty with Scotland and is currently in rehab following a shoulder surgery. With Kostas Tsimikas also injured, the Liverpool fans were eager to hear a positive update from Klopp on Robertson going into the new year. However, the German manager poured cold water on their hopes and revealed that the left-back would still need significant time to get match fit.

Speaking to reporters, Klopp said: "Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder. Obviously it was a big surgery. [He is] still not even close to team training or whatever. Can do a lot, everything without using the arm properly, which is obviously good but on the other side shows us we still have a long way to go. For sure, I think, the full January he has to get closer and closer.”

While sharing an update on Mac Allister's status, Klopp added: "Macca, we will see what he can do today – if he can step into team training or not. The decision is not done yet, it’s pretty early and the Doc is not here; or maybe he is here but I didn’t see him yet. So, we will see. If Macca could be back for Newcastle it would be outstanding, after that he has to be back [due to Endo going to Asian Cup]”

Two other long-term absentees, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, are also not making a return anytime soon.

When Klopp was asked if the pair can be expected to be back in January, he said: "I am actually not 100 per cent sure. I think Thiago will be at one point in team training. With Stefan, if you ask Stefan how he feels, he says ‘good’. ‘Could you train?’ Yes, he could. It’s just we have to be sensible. That’s how it is.

“It’s a growing issue, it’s not growing [increasing] but because of his growing, his age and stuff like this. So we just have to be careful. He could train today fully and then maybe tomorrow as well and then not [for] five weeks. It’s a medical decision, it’s not by the boy, it’s not by me. It’s just that’s how you have to do it if something like this happens. And that makes it so annoying for the boy.

“Thiago is in a very good moment as well but we just have to make sure we don’t use him then too early. The hip thing in and around that area is just a long-term thing as well. There were for sure days where he could have easily trained but it’s all about how can he be back then in the long term, and that’s what we are working on.”

Klopp will hope that Liverpool will be able to sail through these testing periods without dropping many points as they find themselves perched at the top of the standings in the Premier League. They are set to host a beleagured Newcastle on January 1 and the Reds faithful will hope that their team picks up another three points at Anfield.