Liverpool experienced a horrendous start to the new season and saw 10 players injured following their first three games of the campaign, but things are finally starting to look up for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Joel Matip and Curtis Jones were back in the matchday squad against Newcastle United on Wednesday, while Calvin Ramsay and Diogo Jota returned to first-team training this week. Darwin Nunez has now also finally served his three-match ban, meaning Klopp's options are growing ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby.
Here is all you need to know about the state of play at Anfield and the expected return dates for those on the sidelines.
Jordan Henderson
The return of Jones to the matchday squad in midweek was the perfect boost to Liverpool's midfield problems ahead of this weekend, but that soon changed when Jordan Henderson became the latest player to pick up an injury following that 2-1 defeat of the Magpies.
The England international was replaced after 71 minutes when he was forced off through injury, with it quickly being revealed that he has suffered a hamstring problem, and is now completely ruled out of Saturday's trip to Everton as the Reds continue to suffer with casualties.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "We are still waiting for the result, to be honest. It was now only 12.30 or so; I asked before I came here and [we] didn’t get a result yet. He is definitely out, he is injured, but the extent I don’t know."
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Diogo Jota
Liverpool forward Jota has been sidelined with a thigh injury that he picked up during the pre-season camp in Thailand in July, meaning he has failed to feature for the Reds since the end of last season, but he also made his return to first-team training on Thursday.
Initially, there was plenty of optimism that Jota would be able to return to action by the end of August, but as he has not rejoined training until this week, he still remains a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Everton. He should be fit enough to feature against Napoli in the Champions league next week, however.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "Diogo probably will be in as well, he trained yesterday with the team first time. He will train today."
Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool midfielder Thiago remains out of action after being hauled off after just 51 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Fulham on the opening weekend, where he picked up a thigh injury.
Thiago is expected to be out for at least another week and will continue to be assessed over the coming days, although Klopp has confirmed that he is the closest to returning out of everyone.
Speaking on Friday, the German said: "Thiago is the closest from all [of them]. I think the start of the week, next week, he will be in team training."
Caoimhin Kelleher
Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is continuing to recover from a groin injury that he picked up during June’s international break with the Republic of Ireland, which has forced him out of action for the Reds ever since.
The 23-year-old picked up the injury following the 1-1 draw with Ukraine on June 14, before feeling the same problem again once he returned to Liverpool’s training base for pre-season. A return to the squad could be expected soon as he has begun individual training.
Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp said: "Caoimh, I saw now only walking outside going for normal goalkeeper training."
Calvin Ramsay
Liverpool’s third signing of the summer, Ramsay is yet to make a single appearance for the club since joining from Aberdeen, with the teenager being kept out of action as the Reds opt to address an old injury issue.
Ramsay was spotted in Liverpool’s first-team training on Monday, which signals that he may also be on his way back to full fitness. It is unclear whether Ramsay was taking part in full training or just stepping up to the final stages of his recovery.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "Calvin Ramsay is still out but really getting closer and closer. For him it was something with his back, something to do with age and growing and these kind of things. He didn’t train now properly with us, but he gets closer."
Naby Keita
Reds midfielder Naby Keita was the latest name to be added to the long list of injuries at Anfield when he was ruled out of last month’s clash with Manchester United, leaving Klopp’s options worryingly thin.
Keita made a late cameo in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City on July 30 before missing the opening-weekend Premier League draw at Fulham through illness. He returned to the bench for the following game against Crystal Palace, but has been ruled out of action ever since - and it will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "It’s a muscle injury. For him a muscle injury, Ox is a muscle injury and they will be out for a while."
Ibrahima Konate
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate featured in Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly of the summer against Strasbourg on July 30 but was substituted after 57 minutes with a knee injury and has been ruled out of action ever since.
It was initially thought that the Frenchman’s condition wasn’t too serious and he may have been back in contention for the opening-weekend trip to face Fulham, but has since been ruled out for the long term. However, he is expected back in first team training at the end of the month.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "Ibou, in and around the international break he will be back in training."
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains sidelined for the next two to three months after picking up another injury during the 2-0 friendly defeat of Crystal Palace in pre-season on July 15.
The 28-year-old was taken off just before half-time with a thigh injury and is set for a lengthy spell in the treatment room. Due to the timing of the World Cup in November, Oxlade-Chamberlain may not pull on a Liverpool shirt again until the Premier League returns in late December.
Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "For him [Keita] a muscle injury, Ox is a muscle injury and they will be out for a while."
