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Jurgen Klopp expects Thiago Alcantara to be in contention to face Inter after the Liverpool midfielder was forced to miss the Carabao Cup final due to a hamstring injury.
The Spain international was in tears after dropping out of the starting line-up against Chelsea at Wembley.
Liverpool went on to win 11-10 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was brought on for the shootout, missing the decisive spot-kick.
Thiago will miss Wednesday’s FA Cup clash with Norwich at Anfield and will likely sit out the Premier League game with West Ham on Saturday.
But Klopp hopes he will be available for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Inter Milan, in which Liverpool hold a 2-0 lead after the first leg.
“He’s not crying any more,” the Reds manager told reporters on Tuesday. “This was a very emotional moment.
“We were all surprised. I watched the whole warm-up, didn’t see anything, and I came in the dressing room and he’s on the bed, telling me he feels something in his hamstring, which is not good obviously.
“We had to make the decision that he could not start at this moment, when you are that close to playing a final.
“For the one player who won probably the most silverware in the whole squad, or as much as the whole squad together, to show this emotion… I didn’t like that he didn’t feel that good, but the desire to play the final I liked a lot.
“He’s fine again but not fit again. For the weekend, I’m not sure; maybe Milan. After that, definitely.”
Thiago has made 20 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this season.
