Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is touch and go to return from a hamstring injury before the World Cup.

The Guinean international will not be available to face Derby County in the Carabao Cup third-round tie and remains a doubt for the match versus Southampton on Saturday.

Vice-captain James Milner can’t play midweek due to concussion protocols but he will be back in contention to play against the Saints.

Joel Matip’s calf problem has not healed quickly enough for him to take part in the Reds’ final two matches this month, while Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are still long-term absentees.

Diaz is, though, making progress in his recovery from a knee injury. At his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, assistant manager Pep Lijnders revealed that the Colombian international is back running outside.

Jota is, however, some way off from returning to action, having suffered a serious calf muscle injury in the win over Manchester City.