Jurgen Klopp delivers updates on Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold as both Liverpool stars miss Man City clash, while James Milner picks up injury

Jurgen Klopp was optimistic that Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold would be fit for the Premier League’s return on Boxing Day.

The pair both featured at the World Cup for their respective nations, but were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

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They have returned to Liverpool for the resumption of the domestic season, but neither were involved in the match day squad that lost to Man City in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

Klopp revealed why they missed the match and hoped they would be ready to face Aston Villa on Monday - which is live on talkSPORT.

After the match, he said: “We thought Trent was available but then he got ill, so that is what we have to wait for. Virgil trained today [and] yesterday completely normal and should be ready for Monday, but we have to see who gets the virus until then.”

Darwin Nunez started up front against Man City with Roberto Firmino also not ready to play.

Klopp added: “We play mainly with the players who could do all the sessions now and had a break – apart from Bobby, who unfortunately got injured two days ago in training.

"Not a big one but big enough for this period. That’s why Darwin [Nunez] is now starting. He could’ve started anyway but Darwin is starting now.”

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The Reds did suffer an injury blow in the first half with James Milner having to leave the match with an injury.

On Milner, Klopp said: "Millie felt something in the hamstring. We still hope it is not an injury, but we will see. He felt something, but after 30 years in the business he said, ‘I don’t think it’s a lot’ so we will see.”