Mohamed Salah available for Liverpool's Champions League match against Atalanta

Egyptian star cleared to play after testing negative for Covid-19

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has been cleared to play. Reuters

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is fit to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Salah flew back from Egypt, where he had returned two positive Covid-19 tests, on Friday and was ruled out of Sunday's win over Leicester but has subsequently tested negative and is back in contention.
"Mo trained yesterday and looked really good. All the tests were negative so he's available if nothing changes," said manager Jurgen Klopp.

However, Klopp is still awaiting updates on a number of other players.

Klopp does not yet know how soon the likes of Jordan Henderson (thigh), Thiago Alcantara (knee) and Xherdan Shaqiri (muscle) will be back.

"All the rest – no news. We will see. I don't want to speak too much about it because I have no idea who Atalanta can bring – so why should we give any information?," he added.

Liverpool won their opening three matches in Group D, including a 5-0 victory over Atalanta earlier this month but Klopp said he will not take the Italian side lightly.

"They're a threat even without a point to prove. We were exceptional [in Italy]. We did everything right. It all came together. We know that game has nothing to do with tomorrow," Klopp added.

"They're a top team with a special way to play. I expect problems in this game."

Klopp also welcomed the imminent return of fans to football grounds – albeit in a reduced capacity – but still had questions about the logic being applied to the numbers involved.

"The problem is, I just struggle to put faith in any kind of announcements," he said. "I don't understand why it is only 2,000 people in a 60,000 stadium. But I am not surprised. It's good news, good sign. I'll take it 100 per cent."

________________

Liverpool v Leicester ratings

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: Made a good save from Tielemans just before half time and a splendid double stop from Vardy and Barnes in the second half. A reassuring presence. AFP

James Milner - 7: Fed the forwards with precise passes from the right back position. His lack of pace is a problem when defending but the 34-year-old used his veteran’s knowledge to mitigate the situation. Moved to midfield and immediately created a chance for Mane. AFP

Joel Matip - 7: Made nonsense of fears that the back four would struggle. The Cameroonian's strength in the air makes a huge difference when defending crosses. AP

Fabinho - 7: Read danger well. The Brazilian does not have the ideal centre-back skillset but makes up for it by anticipating the threat. A calming influence. Getty

Andrew Robertson - 8: Committed, robust and powerful. Vardy’s presence did not deter the Scot from getting upfield. Provided a brilliant cross for Jota’s goal. Another exceptional display. AP

Georginio Wijnaldum - 7: Put in his usual dynamic display in the midfield. The Dutchman’s efforts ensured Leicester struggled to build through the central areas. AFP

Naby Keita - 7: One of his best games was cut short by a hamstring injury. The midfielder pressed hard and created chances during a vibrant outing. Replaced by Williams in the 54th minute. AP

Curtis Jones - 7: Busy, hardworking and ambitious. Used the ball well when in possession. The 19-year-old was confident and looked to open up the opposition defence. AFP

Diogo Jota - 9: A constant threat. Full of confidence and always prepared to shoot on sight. Scored a superb glancing header. The Portuguese gets better with every game. Getty

Roberto Firmino - 8: Scored a magnificent header to make the game safe. Was unlucky to hit the post and have the ball kicked off the line in a bizarre second-half sequence. The goal capped an efficient, effective performance. Getty

Sadio Mane - 8: Menaced the defence. The Senegalese was frustrated that he was unable to convert any of the chances that came his way but he opened up space for team-mates by dragging the Leicester back line out of shape. Getty

SUBS; Neco Williams - 6: On for Keita in the 54th minute and slotted in at right back as Liverpool reshuffled. Keen to get forward and join the attack. Fitted into the side almost seamlessly . Getty

Takumi Minamino - 5: Replaced Mane for the closing minute. Managed to get into position to make an attempt at goal but scuffed the stoppage-time shot. Getty

Divock Origi - 5: Given a short run out when Jota was withdrawn in the 89th minute. Not much of a chance to make an impact but went looking for the ball. Getty

LEICESTER CITY RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel - 6: Could do little to stop any of the goals. Did well to keep the score down to three. Getty

James Justin - 6: Got forward in the early exchanges and put pressure on Milner’s flank. Went close with a first-half effort. The 22-year-old faded as the game went on. Getty

Wesley Fofana - 4: The Frenchman found it hard to pin down Mane. He was seriously unnerved by the striker on a number of occasions. After an excellent start to life in the Premier League, the defender had a tough night at Anfield. AP

Jonny Evans - 3: The centre back was so distracted by Mane that he lost concentration and scored an own goal. He found himself dragged out of position when Jota netted the second and was nowhere to be seen when Firmino headed home the third. Getty

Christian Fuchs - 3: Was on the wrong side of Jota for the Portuguese striker’s goal. Could not deal with the movement and pace of Liverpool attack. Exposed badly throughout and withdrawn for Under with 27 minutes left. Getty

Marc Albrighton - 4: Misjudged his attempt to close down Robertson in the build-up to Jota’s goal. Barely got forward. PA

Nampalys Mendy - 3: Timid performance. The Frenchman had little impact on the game and allowed Liverpool time and space on the ball. Did little to help out the defence. Deservedly booked for a late challenge on Wijnaldum. AFP

Youri Tielemans - 3: Largely anonymous. He forced Alisson into a good save before half time but rarely got to the pace of the game. Reuters

James Maddison - 4: Struggled to influence the match. He was pressed hard by Liverpool’s midfield whenever the ball came near him. Getty

Harvey Barnes - 4: Should have equalised in the first half when set up by Vardy. Not able to put his stamp on proceedings. Replaced by Praet with 27 minutes left to play

Jamie Vardy - 4: Might have expected a better evening against Liverpool’s makeshift defence but was given very little to work with by his team-mates. AFP

SUBS: Cengiz Under - 6: On for Fuchs in the 63rd minute. The visiting side looked much brighter for his presence. EPA

Dennis Praet - 6: Replaced Barnes with 27 minutes to go and contributed to his team’s best spell of the match. Willing to carry the ball forward and pop up in the opposition’s box. Reuters