Liverpool have been given a major injury boost ahead of the final weeks of the season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and goalkeeper Alisson all set to make their comebacks soon.
The trio have been out of action since February but returned to training on Tuesday.
“So, obviously we didn’t rush it with the boys," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said in his press conference ahead of Thursday's UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against Atalanta.
"You can but we didn’t. That means they did a lot of training by themselves, especially Diogo and Trent. [They] worked as a group for two or three weeks, really properly training.
“So, [they] looked very good yesterday, to be honest.
Jürgen Klopp says no firm decision has been made on whether the returning Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker or Diogo Jota will be involved in #LIVATA ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 10, 2024
“They are now back in training and now we have to see how we involve them and how we use them. That we need them is clear. But we need them in the best possible shape, and we want to give them kind of rhythm.
“It’s always a challenge trying to reintegrate the guys. With the quality they have it should be easier, and we will use them in the next days and weeks, but what it means for tomorrow I didn’t make a decision yet.”
How have Liverpool fared without them?
Alisson's last match was a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on 4 February, while Alexander-Arnold last played in the following match against Burnley, and Jota was injured in the match after that - a 4-1 success against Brentford.
Despite missing those key players, the Reds have still fared well without them, progressing to the Europa League quarter-finals and winning the EFL Cup.
In the Premier League, since the match at Brentford, Liverpool have won four and drawn two of their subsequent six matches and remain in the title race in Klopp's final season at the club, sitting in second place, only behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.