Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara was absent from Wednesday's training session ahead of the Champions League final with Real Madrid on Saturday at the Stade de France.
The 31-year-old - who has consistently struggled to stay fit during his time at Anfield - picked up an apparent Achilles problem in the final-day Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Thiago headed straight down the tunnel at the end of the first half and did not emerge for the second, with James Milner taking his place in the 3-1 success.
Speaking after the game, Jurgen Klopp was pessimistic about Thiago's fitness and admitted that the Spain international was unlikely to be fit in time for the Champions League final.
"I think he'll be out of the final but I don't know. He's limping, so it's maybe not the best sign. Lower part of the body. I know what it is but don't want to say," Klopp told Sky Sports News.
Fabinho moving freely here in open training. One major midfield injury concern eased for Liverpool, at least. pic.twitter.com/YcJvBmyTbc
— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) May 25, 2022
Liverpool opened up a portion of their training session to the media on Wednesday morning, but there was no sign of Thiago among his teammates, raising further doubts over his availability.
The midfielder is not thought to have sustained any significant damage to his Achilles and will continue to undergo treatment over the next couple of days in the hope of participating in Paris.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona man has already missed 44 games through injury or illness since arriving at Anfield in 2020 and only made the starting lineup on 17 occasions in the 2021-22 Premier League season.
On a brighter note, Fabinho was spotted in the session as the Brazilian steps up his recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained in the win over Aston Villa on May 10.
Klopp had previously affirmed that Fabinho's injury would not keep him out of the European showdown, and the 28-year-old should now be fit to take his place in the first XI.
© Reuters
Joe Gomez was also in attendance with the team after picking up an ankle injury against Southampton on May 17, with scans not revealing any significant damage.
However, Divock Origi is confirmed to be missing the final with the muscular injury he sustained in training last week, meaning that he has played his final game for the club.
Liverpool fans and club chiefs still paid tribute to the Belgian attacker at Anfield over the weekend following his plethora of crucial goals, including the second in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
As far as Real Madrid are concerned, Carlo Ancelotti will expect to have everyone available for the trip to Paris, with David Alaba now back in training after recovering from an adductor issue.
Liverpool will be out to get their hands on Europe's top prize for a seventh time on Saturday, while Real Madrid are hoping to win a record-extending 14th Champions League crown.
Ben Knapton
