Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he won't rush Thiago Alcantara's re-introduction to Premier League football.

The 29-year-old has been plagued with injuries since his arrival, making just three appearances this season so far.

When asked about his fitness ahead of Liverpool's match against Southampton tonight, Klopp said: “Unfortunately, I don't know him that long.

"A few months only. So if I would like to answer the question, I don't know exactly what to say.

"That he could play 20 [minutes against Newcastle ] is pretty special, I would say, because [he had] only two sessions with the team; one of the sessions he was the joker, so I'm not sure you can count that really.

"But this game [at Newcastle] gave us the opportunity to do it because it was mainly about creating and that's obviously his best skill.

"So we will see. There's a chance. He played 20 [minutes] so there's a chance.

"But I don't even know how he reacts until [Thursday], we will see if he can get out of bed or not!

"Or if he has kind of muscle soreness or something like that. He enjoyed the few minutes obviously and then we will talk new.

"But, how I said, I like speaking about Thiago, it's absolutely no problem, but honestly the boys who did the job so far did exceptionally well, I have to say.

"It's not that we could not survive if he cannot start the next game.

"But it's very good that he is now fit and is obviously in contention. I like that a lot."