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Liverpool news: Fabinho to start v Huddersfield? Klopp gives update on Brazil star
JURGEN KLOPP has confirmed Fabinho is ‘close’ to making his Premier League debut for Liverpool - and he could play against Huddersfield this weekend.
The Brazilian has been away on international duty but is yet to feature for Klopp's side in the league since his big-money move from Monaco in the summer.
His only minutes so far have come in the League Cup and the Champions League.
But the Reds boss insists it is only a matter of time before we see him in action in the top flight.
Speaking before his side’s clash with Huddersfield on Saturday, Klopp said: “(He is) close (to his debut), I didn’t see him for ten days.
"He was never far away but he needs to get used to different things.”
Klopp has often been questioned on his reluctance to use a player he paid £40million to bring to the club.
But he insists he knows what he is doing and says people need to be patient while the 24-year-old settles in.
“I had this situation so often I cannot believe, Ilkay Gundogan didn’t play for half a year (at Borussia Dortmund).," Klopp said.
“The only difference was he was a young player and no one asked."
Fabinho might get his chance earlier than expected as fellow midfielder and summer signing Naby Keita has been ruled out of the clash with David Wagner’s struggling Terriers.
Keita picked up a hamstring injury while playing for Guinea during the international break.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also picked up knocks while playing for their countries.
Klopp has officially ruled Keita out but Van Dijk is definitely available and Salah is in contention.
”We had a session yesterday and a few trained,” he said.
“We'll have to see how they react, but Naby Keita will not be available."