Nathaniel Clyne has suffered a setback in his attempts to recover from the back problem which has kept him out all season.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims Clyne needs rest to cure the problem and still cannot say when the England full-back will return.

Klopp initially described the right-back’s injury as minor when he was hurt in pre-season and says they have consulted the world’s leading back specialists to help him recover.

“It’s not that good,” said Klopp. “He was in a good way and then had a little setback. That’s how back problems are.

“The back is a weak part of the body and it can take a long time. It’s not the best thing, especially not for him, but we are on it.

“We showed him to specialists all over the world and it’s not a big problem. It just needs time, that is all.”

Nathaniel Clyne has not played all season due to a back injury (
Image:
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp also confirmed that Philippe Coutinho would not be fit to face West Ham at the London Stadium tomorrow.

He hoped Georginio Wijnaldum could overcome the ankle injury he suffered in midweek against Maribor and that Dejan Lovren will recover from his calf strain.

“Phil is not available,” said the German. “With the rest it is really close. Gini, not sure. We have to see as it is painful what he has, but maybe he can cope with it.

“Dejan, maybe today is the 'clearing' session and in weeks like this we know we have to wait until the last second to make the squad.”