Liverpool are expected to keep hold of their Africa Cup of Nations trio for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita would be due to jet off on December 27 - the day before the game - but there is now hope that their release may be delayed until after the New Year.

Jurgen Klopp has also welcomed Virgil van Dijk, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho back to training after COVID-19 infection, but Andy Robertson is suspended, and the quartet of Nat Phillips, Adrian, Divock Origi and Harvey Elliott are all nursing injuries.

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Joel Matip could form a familiar backline if the Dutchman is fit enough, with Kostas Tsimikas capable of deputising for the suspended Robertson.

With Thiago only just back in training, Keita may earn a start in midfield alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, although James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are alternative options.

Klopp is sure to utilise Takumi Minamino and Roberto Firmino during the absences of Salah and Mane, but the AFCON duo are sure to start at the King Power while they are still at the manager's disposal.

Firmino was fit enough to play the full 90 and score a penalty in the EFL cup win over Leicester, but Diogo Jota will likely return as the focal point of the attack on Tuesday.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Jota, Mane body check tags ::