Liverpool are preparing for one of their biggest games of the season against Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have rediscovered some form at the perfect time and will go into the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real with some confidence. After a miserable start to 2023 which brought one win in seven games across all competitions, Liverpool have now recorded back-to-back 2-0 victories over Everton and Newcastle.
Those results have brought some renewed optimism, with two games in hand giving them a fighting chance of closing the seven-point gap to Tottenham in fourth place in the Premier League. An easing of the previously swollen injury list has also come at an opportune time ahead of the match against Real in the Champions League.
Klopp put his players through their paces at their Kirkby training ground on Monday. Here is what was evident from the session.
Nunez trains
The only negative from a commanding win over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday came when Darwin Nunez suffered a shoulder injury in the second half. Nunez was injured in a challenge with Kieran Trippier and had to be substituted, with Klopp explaining in his post-match press conference that “something on his shoulder” was “painful” for the Uruguayan.
The good news is that Nunez was training as normal with the group on Monday and did not show any signs of discomfort or pain. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp gave this update: “There is a chance. We have to see how he is today. When we know that we will make a decision.”
Jota and Firmino ready
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino have both come off the bench in the past two games for Liverpool – and they look raring to go now.
Both forwards have been eased back in following spells on the sidelines with injuries, but both look fully fit following the training session on Monday.
If Nunez cannot play, then at least Klopp will have ready-made replacements on hand – something that could not be said during the team’s rough patch last month.
Arthur back
Arthur Melo’s loan move from Juventus has been an absolute disaster. The Brazilian midfielder joined as somewhat of a panic buy on deadline day and he has made no impact whatsoever and won’t be staying beyond the end of the season.
So far he has just one brief substitute appearance to his name with Liverpool, with a thigh injury picked up in October keeping him on the sidelines since.
He returned to training earlier this month, was involved again on Monday, and could make the bench against Real, given Klopp is allowed to have 12 substitutes to call upon.
Absentees
While the injury problems have eased of late, there are still some players conspicuous by their absence. On Monday there was still no sign of injured quartet Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsey, Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz.
Joe Gomez is likely to fill in for Konate against Real, while Stefan Bajcetic could continue his starting streak in midfield while Thiago remains unavailable.
Gakpo relishing form
Cody Gakpo was front and centre in the training session and looks to have settled in fully following his £40million transfer from PSV Eindhoven in January.
After a slow start, Gakpo has found his feet on Merseyside, scoring in the past two games.
The Dutch international gives Klopp a different option in attack, with his skillset comparable to Firmino in a withdrawn No9 role. He is also good at coming in off the left-hand side of attack.
