Liverpool’s injury crisis is finally showing signs of easing, with Jurgen Klopp confirming that Diogo Jota is set to return to training later this week.
The Reds’ start to the season has been undermined by fitness issues, with, at times, as many as 10 senior players missing during their opening four games, while Darwin Nunez is serving a three-match suspension for headbutting Joachim Andersen. Liverpool are preparing to face Newcastle United on Wednesday night at Anfield and Klopp had some much-needed good news to share in his pre-match press conference.
"I think Diogo [Jota] can train from Thursday on," he said on Tuesday. "Thiago [Alcantara] I think, slightly later. We'll see. Calvin [Ramsay] is getting closer. Caoimhin Kelleher, I saw walking outside for goalkeeper training. So there is light at the end of the tunnel, definitely.”
Jota has been missing for some time, having sustained a hamstring injury on international duty before being dealt a further setback on his return to pre-season training. Thiago started the season fully fit but hasn't featured since limping off during the 2-2 draw with Fulham on the opening day of the campaign. Both have been missed.
Nunez’s heabutt in the 1-1 draw against Palace has seen him sit out of the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United and the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth. The Uruguayan striker will miss the Newcastle game before being eligible to return for the Merseyside derby on Saturday, but Liverpool’s depth has been tested due to his ill-discipline.
Roberto Firmino missed the Palace game, but returned to score twice and assist three goals in the Bournemouth thrashing. Jota’s recovery will add competition for places in the front three, alongside Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
There have been even deeper problems in midfield, where Klopp has been without Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Thiago recently. Jones returned to first-team training alongside Joel Matip and Ramsay on Monday to ease those concerns – but they are still strong enough for Liverpool to be considering a new addition in the closing stages of the transfer window.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Liverpool need to sign a new midfielder to ease their injury concerns? Comment below.
Klopp gave an honest assessment of Liverpool’s chances of signing a new midfielder before the deadline on Thursday at 11pm. Asked if Liverpool were still in the market, he replied: “Yes. But the closer we get to the last minute, the more unlikely it gets. We are not 'out'. I could not [tell you names] even if I wanted.
“It's really difficult because for sure there are a few players out there which would be the right ones, but there are different issues. We will see, there is still time but when it's over I will be really happy that we can stop thinking about it and focus on the squad we have."
