Thiago Alcantara returns to Liverpool squad to face Newcastle United

The summer signing returns despite his manager claiming he wouldn’t be involved

Thiago could return for Liverpool against Sheffield United (Getty Images)

Liverpool have confirmed that Thiago Alcantara will be involved in their matchday squad against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

The Reds have the chance to go five points clear if they win, after their shock draw at home to West Brom last time out.

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Only a day earlier, Jurgen Klopp had claimed that Thiago would not feature against the Magpies as he still needed further training sessions to get up to speed after injury.

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The former Bayern Munich man has only made two appearances so far for the Reds and was hurt in the Merseyside derby in a challenge which saw Everton’s Richarlison red-carded, resulting in a three-match ban for the Brazilian - but a 16-match absence for Liverpool’s playmaker.

Liverpool have had an injury crisis to deal with for much of this season, though it’s the defensive line which is worst-affected, with Joel Matip joining Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines.

The Anfield club received bad news on Wednesday as Merseyside returned to Tier 3, meaning games at Liverpool and Everton will now be behind closed doors once more - the last sides in the Premier League who had been allowed 2,000 in attendance.