Liverpool fans were thrilled to see Adam Lallana’s name in the travelling squad for their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Roma, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has tempered expectations on the midfielder’s return as he has instead the Englishman is not yet fit to play.
“Adam Lallana is here in the training squad, but not available for the game. He’s in the training squad and that’s very nice,” the German tactician was quoted as saying by the club website.
“It shows how close he is. Unfortunately, the season is not too long anymore, but we’re really happy about having him with us.”
Lallana’s had a injury-ravaged season, having started just thrice for the Merseyside outfit in all competitions so far.
The 29-year-old last played in a 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on March 31.
And with fellow Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for the season and the World Cup with a serious knee injury, Liverpool are looking a little short in midfield.
England and Liverpool are hopeful that Lallana will be fully fit by the time the season comes to a close, especially with the World Cup now less than two months away.
The silky midfielder has a fighting chance of making Gareth Southgate’s squad.
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Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are the only senior players available for Klopp ahead of their trip to Roma as Emre Can (back) is also struggling with an injury.
With the Reds having won the first leg 5-2, they are heavy favourites to reach their first final in over a decade but after Roma’s miraculous comeback against heavyweights Barcelona in the quarters, will have to be wary of complacency in Rome.
The second leg at the Stadio Olimpico kicks off on Wednesday night, 20.45 GMT/12.15 IST (Thursday morning).