Jurgen Klopp has just dropped three big Liverpool selection hints ahead of Ajax clash

Jurgen Klopp has hinted that he will not start Ibrahima Konate when Liverpool face Ajax in the Champions League tonight.

The centre-back has returned to training after missing the past three games with a muscle injury. Konate has previously been absent for the opening two months of the season.

A point for the Reds will see them move into the knockout stage of Europe’s elite club competition.

But given Konate’s lack of training, Klopp admitted it may not make ‘sense’ for the France international to feature from the outset.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “He is here. Ready to play minutes, I would say. Could play the first minutes but that makes not too much sense - but minutes, yes. That’s it, nothing new yet.”

Klopp also confirmed that Joel Matip is still unavailable with a calf injury.

With Konate unlikely to start, Joe Gomez looks set to partner Virgil van Dijk once again in central defence.

Van Dijk is virtually a certain starter, having been put up for media duties ahead of the game. Indeed, Diogo Jota spoke to the press before the 7-1 thrashing of Rangers earlier this month. Klopp confirmed the forward was set to feature from the outset but a late issue meant Jota could only come off the bench.

Gomez, meanwhile, has featured in the past three games alongside van Dijk. Nat Phillips is another option but has made just one appearance all campaign - which was the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace more than two months ago.