Klopp confident Firmino and Alexander-Arnold will be ready for West Ham

Jurgen Klopp expects the returning duo Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold to be fit for his side’s first Premier League game of the season against West Ham on August 11.

Firmino, who made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup with Brazil, linked up with the rest of the squad in Evian as planned.

For the moment, Klopp appears to be easing him back into the fold but the German suggested Firmino could play some part against Napoli this weekend and sees no reason why he will not be able to face the Hammers.

“It’s good to have him here, he looks in good shape, and if possible we will see [if he can get minutes against Napoli],” he said. “Training for the outfield players is obviously different than for the goalies, but we want to see him as well against Napoli. We will see for how long.

“When we start against West Ham, he will have had then two weeks after three weeks off, it should be possible but we will see until then.

“In the moment he looks good, his programme is obviously pretty different. He is part of most of the sessions when the boys do something different that is not the highest intensity, so then he needs to do a little bit more, like Trent will do now.

“Step by step, they are all coming back and it’s the best news.”

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READ: Klopp ups the intensity in Evian  

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was entitled to three weeks’ break after England’s run to the last four in Russia but he opted to cut short his holiday to ensure he was ready for the new season.

Compatriot Jordan Henderson, who is expected to return to Melwood on Sunday, may be forced to miss the season-opener at Anfield after playing a crucial and demanding role in the heart of Gareth Southgate’s midfield.

“It was not [possible] to stop [him coming back early], but then without physical power it wouldn’t have been possible to keep Hendo away either,” the manager joked.

“But Hendo is in a different situation and played much more games, played more in the World Cup and all that stuff. He is not old, but he is older than Trent, so I think it makes absolute sense he has the full three weeks and Trent has had two weeks and two days.

“Trent seems to be really relaxed and really desperate to be part of the team again, so good to have him and now we can start with him.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com