Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that neither Roberto Firmino nor Naby Keita will be back for Monday's Premier League clash with Leicester City.
Soon-to-be free agent Firmino sustained a muscular problem prior to last month's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, which was initially expected to sideline him for just three games.
However, the Brazilian attacker has now spent five successive matches on the treatment table, as his issue continues to hinder his chances of a memorable farewell.
Meanwhile, the injury-riddled Keita - who is also set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer - has been missing for Liverpool's last 12 Premier League games with a muscular issue of his own.
Addressing the media in Friday's pre-match press conference, Klopp conceded that neither man had rejoined team training and would thus miss out, although Firmino could be back with the squad after Monday's trip to the King Power Stadium.
The 31-year-old could potentially sign off as a Liverpool player in their final two fixtures with Aston Villa and Southampton, but Keita may very well have played his final game for the club as he struggles to overcome his problem.
"No, they were not in team training yet. I saw Bobby in training yesterday and it looks like pretty much [he is] nearly there, but I don't think he will be in for the weekend," Klopp told reporters.
"If I go out of here and he will in the session, I would be surprised. I assume that we start with him team training-wise after the Leicester game. And Naby, no."
Stefan Bajcetic (adductor), Calvin Ramsay (knee) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) represent three other long-term injury concerns for Liverpool, who will also be waving goodbye to Arthur and potentially James Milner alongside Firmino and Keita this summer.
Klopp has repeatedly insisted that the Reds will be active in the summer transfer market ahead of an expected midfield overhaul, and the German believes that Anfield is still a "really attractive" destination for players in spite of a possible lack of Champions League football next season.
"When I talk to a player - if I'm allowed to talk to a player - we cannot say in the moment if we have Champions League football. So, if we're already talking, then it is already clear that he already knows about that situation," Klopp added when asked about players joining without Champions League football on offer.
"But it's just a general thing. I think if you join a club, you reach something together with the club. It's obvious we have to be part of the Champions League, fight for trophies and these kind of things.
"If you want to be part of that, you're more than welcome. We cannot guarantee this year Champions League football. But all the rest is the same as before: a fantastic club with a really good football team - and a better one hopefully next year. It's really that simple. Still Liverpool. We're really attractive to a lot of players."
Thanks to a six-game winning run in the Premier League, Liverpool have surged up to fifth place in the standings, one point behind Manchester United and three worse off than Newcastle United.
However, Man United and Newcastle both have a game in hand on their Merseyside rivals and can move out of sight when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United respectively on Saturday. body check tags ::
