Liverpool takes on Brighton at Anfield on Sunday. Jürgen Klopp’s injury situation is set to improve considerably over the next few weeks ahead of the run-in.
Liverpool returns to Premier League action on Sunday with the weekend’s fixtures potentially decisive in the title race. The Reds host Brighton at Anfield and know they cannot afford to slip up, after falling to second behind Arsenal.
But Mikel Arteta’s leaders face a trip to Etihad to take on Manchester City, with at least one of Liverpool’s rivals dropping points. It means Jürgen Klopp’s side could end the weekend top of the table, and back in the driving seat.
Liverpool’s international stars did return unscathed while injury concerns over Darwin Núñez have been allayed despite the striker pulling out of the Uruguay squad.
Klopp will speak to the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday and will undoubtedly be asked about when Liverpool fans can expect to see some of his injured players back in action.
Here is the latest on that front, including some key updates on several players and their return dates, as well as news of an unlikely boost following the international break.
Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konaté
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp had suggested that Curtis Jones would be close to a return after the international break. The midfielder has not played since picking up an ankle injury in the win at Brentford last month.
But according to Sky Sports, Jones did not train with his teammates on Thursday. There is a chance he could partake in Friday’s session but his absence does suggest he may not be ready to feature against Brighton.
Konaté was also absent from the session after he played 90 minutes for France in midweek. The defender had missed Liverpool’s last three matches but was called up by Didier Deschamps. He was pictured arriving at the AXA Training Centre though so is likely to have gone through a light recovery session with the club’s medical staff.
Possible return dates: Konaté should be fit vs Brighton but Jones may have to wait until Sheffield United on April 4.
Andy Robertson and Alisson
Scotland captain Robertson was also missing from Thursday’s session after picking up an ankle injury on international duty. But Liverpool has received a boost with the left-back avoiding any serious injury.
According to The Athletic, Robertson will be sidelined for days rather than weeks. He is still a major doubt for this weekend’s clash with Brighton.
Klopp has been without his first-choice goalkeeper Alisson for Liverpool’s last 10 matches due to a hamstring problem. Caoimhín Kelleher has impressed in his absence and will keep his place for a while yet.
The Daily Mail reports Klopp told Reds supporters during a tour of the training ground that Alisson was going to be out for between two and three more weeks.
Possible return dates: Robertson vs Sheffield United on April 4, Alisson could play vs Fulham on April 21.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota
There is more good news regarding vice-captain Alexander-Arnold, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in the win over Burnley at Anfield. He stepped up his rehab over the international break but Liverpool’s medical team is remaining cautious, reports The Athletic.
It is claimed that Alexander-Arnold is still a fortnight away from returning to training, with the Reds eager to avoid a repeat of bringing him back too early after his setback in January.
Meanwhile, Jota has been sidelined since being taken off on a stretcher at Brentford. He is not thought to be too far away but is not yet back in training.
Possible return dates: Atalanta on April 11 for Alexander-Arnold but Jota could be sooner.
Joël Matip and Stefan Bajčetić
Liverpool defender Joël Matip has taken a big step in his recovery from an ACL injury. Matip hasn’t played since suffering the problem against Fulham in December and it appeared he had played his last game for the club, with his contract up this summer.
But The Mail reports Klopp told fans during the open session that Matip was out running on the grass on Wednesday for the first time. It does seem he faces a fight to play again before the end of the campaign though.
Young midfielder Bajčetić has endured a frustrating season, playing just twice. Klopp revealed before the international break that he was undergoing his own pre-season to ensure he is ready to join the group. And The Times claims he has been increasing his workload this week.
Possible return dates: Unknown
Thiago Alcântara and Ben Doak
