Jurgen Klopp gives injury update on star midfielder after FA Cup absence

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Alexis Mac Allister "should be ready" for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday after an injury kept him out of the squad to face Norwich City in the FA Cup.

Mac Allister was a surprise exclusion from the Reds matchday squad to face Norwich City in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, with debutant James McConnell filling in at the heart of the Reds midfield due to the World Cup winner's absence.

Despite missing their starting holding midfielder, Liverpool were able to progress comfortably through to the quarter-finals thanks to a thumping 5-2 win over Norwich City at Anfield - Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch got the goals for the home side.

Speaking after the game, Liverpool manager Klopp was keen to provide clarity on Mac Allister's exclusion on Sunday, confirming to the press that the midfielder had suffered a slight injury:

 "Alexis, I would say [if it was the] last game of the season, decider or whatever, he could have played, but in all games not," said Klopp.

"He felt a little bit and we just said no, no and I don't want to know more, so that's just it. We gave him a rest. I think he should be ready for Wednesday."

Klopp was also keen to praise the 19-year-old who replaced Mac Allister in the lineup, hailing McConnell's assist in the win:

"He is a smart footballer. He has the necessary aggression, the vision and all these kind of things that he can play that position as a number and he did it really well today.

"On top of that [he is] a good footballer, how you not only saw with the cross for Curtis but in a lot of other moments."

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