Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has provided an update on the Reds' injury situation ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup clash with Derby County.
The reigning champions begin the defence of their crown against the League One outfit at Anfield in the third round, where a multitude of changes will be expected from the hosts.
Liverpool have been bedevilled by injuries throughout the early stages of the season, with Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Luis Diaz, Arthur, James Milner and Joel Matip all missing the weekend's win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Before addressing the media in his pre-game press conference, Lijnders conceded that none of the Reds' injured crop would return in midweek, but Keita and Milner could potentially face Southampton at the weekend.
"Naby will be difficult, he's still training individually. Let's see for Southampton. Millie will definitely be ready for Southampton but this game [against Derby] comes too early for tomorrow," Lijnders told liverpoolfc.com.
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"Then we have of course Joel, who is getting closer to team training but will not make Southampton probably. The longer injuries, Luis Diaz is running for the first time on Thursday.
"That's good news because we all know how important he was last year and in the second half of the season. And Jota will take longer."
Liverpool prepare for their EFL Cup opener on the back of bombshell news regarding the ownership of the club, as Fenway Sports Group are reportedly prepared to sell the Reds.
Principal owner John W Henry has been in control of Liverpool since 2010 with the American firm, who have confirmed that they are on the lookout for new investors.
An imminent takeover of Liverpool is not expected to materialize, with Henry supposedly after £4bn to sell, and Lijnders was inevitably asked about the possible sale of the club in his press conference.
However, the assistant manager insisted that he did not know anything more than the press and labelled talk of a potential takeover 'speculation' while hailing the work that FSG have done over the past 12 years.
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"First of all, everybody who saw us in the last year, know we have a strong relationship with the owners, so we knew before. We knew about the statement, nothing more than you guys know," Lijnders added.
"I always know the owners act in the best interests of the club and they always have done. There was a small conversation between me and Jurgen [Klopp] but then we focused on this game.
"You are speculating. It's nothing new for a club to try to find new investors. For me, they are good owners. They tied down one of the best managers in the world for seven years. That says a lot.
"Of course, when we signed the deal, it was with them but we are not naive to not think football doesn't change. But, I have so much respect for them."
Following Wednesday's EFL Cup opener, Liverpool will host Southampton in Sunday's Premier League clash before club football takes a hiatus for the World cup.
Ben Knapton
