Liverpool handed major Fabinho fitness boost as Jurgen Klopp reveals likely return date

Liverpool handed major Fabinho fitness boost as Jurgen Klopp reveals likely return date

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the condition of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who limped out of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa earlier this week.

The news that Fabinho is expected to be fit for the Champions League final has given Liverpool a huge boost in their quest for glory.

The Brazilian international suffered what appeared to be a catastrophic hamstring injury against Villa in midweek, but Klopp confirmed that medical tests indicate that he will be fit to face Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris.

Fabinho netted the winning goal for Liverpool against Crystal Palace. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Fabinho, on the other hand, has already been ruled out of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, with the injury being a grade one tear.

Recovery from the minor tear can be anything from two to four weeks, but Klopp said it was good news in the 28 year old’s case, when he said:

“There’s a good chance that he will be available for the Champions League final.” It means captain Jordan Henderson will deputise in the holding midfield role that Fabinho has made his own at Anfield.

“We have a few players. Hendo came on (at Villa) and played incredible, he has played super games this season at 6 so that is not a problem,” Klopp said.

Fabinho will now receive extensive treatment from Liverpool’s medical experts at their Kirkby training base, with the goal of returning to training the week before the Champions League final on May 28.

When Fabinho went off at Villa Park on Tuesday, the defender was plainly limping and in discomfort while gripping the hamstring, Liverpool feared the worst.

The Anfield medical team received alert signals, with indicators of limping or pain often suggesting at least a grade 2 partial tear, which can take up to a month to heal.

Klopp revealed at the time that he was concerned about the Brazilian international’s season, saying:

“I don’t know [how bad it is]. He felt the muscle, not too much, but he felt it. He has a good feeling and that gives me a better feeling than I had and I took him off. What that means, I don’t know yet.”

In other news, Trent Alexander-Arnold discloses what Jurgen Klopp told Liverpool stars at half-time