Jurgen Klopp has seemingly dented Liverpool fans' hopes of seeing Virgil van Dijk in action again this season after acknowledging he is still "quite a way" from returning to first-team training.
Van Dijk has missed much of the season having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Everton in October, ruling him out ever since.
His was just one of numerous defensive injury issues Liverpool have had to contend with this season, and it has subsequently wreaked havoc with their season as they go into Sunday's trip to Old Trafford against Manchester United four points adrift of fourth.
Van Dijk's leadership and imperious attributes made him a huge part of the Reds' Premier League title triumph last season, playing all 38 matches.
Only one defender in the league bettered his 191 aerial wins, he attempted – and completed – more passes than any of them and Trent Alexander-Arnold was the sole defensive player to have more than his 3,624 touches of the ball.
His excellence did not only help keep them solid at the back but his influence stretched to their wider philosophy on the ball as well, yet they have been without that for most of 2020-21.
And, despite videos of Van Dijk running emerging on social media on Thursday, Klopp is urging fans not to get over-excited.
"I don't have enough English words to say the same thing that often," Klopp told reporters. "Yes, he is running like Hendo [Jordan Henderson], Joe [Gomez] and Joel [Matip], that's all good. Rehab always starts with straight-line running.
"There's a lot of things to come. You go through a lot of steps until you are finally ready to join team training. They are all quite a way.
"Nobody told me, fasten your seatbelt, the boys will be ready and in team training next week, but they are in a good way."
Sunday's meeting with bitter rivals United comes at a potentially pivotal moment, with the Red Devils still hopeful of pushing Manchester City all the way in the title race and Klopp's men needing a boost to their top-four hopes.
Although United were in action as recently as Thursday, beating Roma 6-2 in their Europa League semi-final first leg, Klopp doubts Liverpool can count on much of an advantage in terms of freshness.
"Whatever situation you are in, when you're a Liverpool player or manager, this is the game," he continued.
"Is it the best place to go after watching them score five in one half? I don't know. A lot of things can happen, we just make sure we are ready for it.
"They looked pretty good last night and we have to be ready but we have trained well this week. We will have the right legs to go and see what we can make of it.
"[Marcus] Rashford, [Mason] Greenwood, [Paul] Pogba played a good game last night. Whoever we play, they cannot and won't make massive changes. It's tough but we've had these types of fixtures in other seasons, so it's just a fight. We have to fight.
"When you play Thursday then Sunday… Man United have got used to it but it doesn't make it better. It's a tough challenge for them.
"Today is recovery, tomorrow second recovery and then they play. No chance to change things but I don't think they want to really at the moment.
"It will be a tough game, intense. We saw last night – they are good! Especially when you let them play.
"They were flying. I am pretty sure United still feel they have a chance [for the title]. Both teams have to win it which is a good recipe for the game."
'Nobody is perfect' – Pioli insists Napoli not 'unbeatable' ahead of Champions League showdown
Stefano Pioli insisted "nobody is perfect or unbeatable" as Milan prepare to overthrow Napoli in the all-Italian Champions League quarter-final clash.
Milan and Napoli will meet for the first time in European competition on April 12 in the first leg at San Siro, with Luciano Spalletti's side flying high in Serie A and UEFA's top club competition.
The Partenopei are 19 points clear at the Italian top-flight summit and suggested by many as a potential challenger for the European crown.
But Milan have only lost one of their nine all-Italian showdowns in Europe (W4 D4) and Pioli sees no reason why the Rossoneri cannot dream of progressing past Spalletti's in-form side.
The Milan coach said: "Honestly, I'd rather not meet an Italian side. In the Champions League it's better to face a foreign club. Napoli are very strong but we want to play for it.
"They have shown great consistency, strength and quality, they have all the characteristics of a great team, but nobody is perfect or unbeatable."
Pioli's side have not reached the last eight in the Champions League since the 2011-12 term when they were eliminated by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
Milan last went beyond that stage in the 2006-07 season en route to lifting the trophy but overcoming Napoli will prove an incredibly difficult challenge.
Napoli have won each of their past three away matches against the Rossoneri, their best such run against them, although they have not triumphed in any of their past five trips to Milan in cup competitions.
Pioli wants to build on Milan's Champions League history but says the Rossoneri cannot take their eyes off the Serie A top-four battle, leading fifth-placed Roma by just a point.
"It's part of the history of this club and the path it has always followed," he added. "We are beginning to write our history, that of Milan in the Champions League is a different path from ours.
"When you go to San Siro to play the Champions League it is something exciting and spectacular that involves everyone.
"We are very busy but we are also focusing on the league. To make this season a positive one, we have to play in the Champions League next year. We have to be careful."
Before the mouthwatering European meeting, Milan visit Napoli in Serie A on Sunday with the Rossoneri's Scudetto soon seemingly heading for Naples.
Pioli's side have been unable to replicate their exploits from last season's title-winning campaign, though the Italian suggested Milan's young side would always struggle to defend their title.
"I don't think there are many teams in Europe that immediately win the second league," he continued. "We won with a very young team, thanks to a project and a club path we are proud of.
"We are one of the few clubs with a sustainable project; only a few teams manage to win and be competitive in Europe.
"That is a leap that we have not yet been able to make but this year too gives us the opportunity to understand great things, to improve and be the strongest club."
Rashford rubbishes 'nonsense' reports he is seeking £500k a week from Man Utd
Marcus Rashford has denied "nonsense" claims he is holding out for a huge £500,000-a-week deal to stay at Manchester United.
The England international, who has scored a career-best 27 goals in 44 games this campaign, is due to be out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of next season.
According to British publication the Daily Star, Rashford's United future is in limbo due to the ongoing sale of the club and his big wage demands.
However, the 25-year-old directly replied to the article on his personal Twitter page on Wednesday to deny that is the case.
"Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It's complete nonsense," he posted. "The club and make self [sic] have been respectful to one another, and that's how it will remain.
"My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies."
Rashford added on Instagram: "Another non-story flying around about my advisors and me making demands. It's complete nonsense!
"My aim and the club's aims are to finish as high as possible in the league and to try and win a cup or two."
Rashford's goals tally this season has been bettered only by Kylian Mbappe (31) and Erling Haaland (42) among players across Europe's top five leagues.
He has spent eight seasons as part of United's first team since making his big breakthrough with two goals on his debut against Midtjylland in February 2016 as an 18-year-old.
Speaking last month, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the club are working on tying down the academy product to fresh terms.
"Of course [Rashford's new contract] is a priority," he said. "We are working on that. Just sit and wait. In the background. we are working hard."
Rashford missed England's two Euro 2024 qualifiers during the international window, but he is expected to be fit to feature against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Fulham duo Mitrovic and Silva apologise after FA Cup red cards against Manchester United
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva have issued apologies over their dismissals during Fulham's FA Cup loss to Manchester United earlier this month.
The pair were both shown red cards by referee Chris Kavanagh during a seismic passage of play in the Cottagers' 3-1 quarter-final exit at Old Trafford.
Having been called over to the pitchside monitor to check for a handball offence by Willian, who was subsequently sent off, the match official also dismissed Silva for dissent before showing red to Mitrovic after the forward pushed him, reducing them to nine men.
Bruno Fernandes then scored the resulting penalty as Fulham swiftly collapsed from holding a 1-0 lead going into the closing stages.
On Wednesday, both player and manager revealed they had spoken to Kavanagh to apologise, and stressed they will accept the punishments handed down against them.
"I have been away with my national team and have had some time to reflect on the Manchester United match," Mitrovic told the club's website.
"As everyone knows, it was a very emotional one, in which the team gave absolutely everything on the pitch to try to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.
"On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong.
"I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have volunteered to accept a club fine.
"I now want to do what I can to put this incident behind me and get back to helping my teammates on the pitch as soon as possible."
Silva echoed his player's sentiments, adding: "Emotions were high at Old Trafford and, as I said in my press conference after the game, I should have controlled my own emotions better.
"It was a very difficult moment, in a match that we had dominated, but I could have handled the situation better.
"I regret what happened, and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise.
"He knows that I respect him and the job he has to do. I am sorry that I was not on the pitch to try to lead the team to Wembley, but I am thankful for all the support I have received from Fulham fans over the last few days."
The FA will review issuing a longer ban than the traditional three games for Mitrovic's actions, while Silva is likely to face a touchline suspension too.
Fulham return to action with a trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
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