Diogo Jota starts up front for Liverpool tonight for their clash against Leeds in the Premier League.
Luis Diaz is back on the bench.
The winger has been out of action since October, when he picked up a knee injury against Arsenal, and then suffered a further setback when returning to training in Dubai during the World Cup.
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That issue required surgery, but Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Diaz is now fit and available ahead of the trip to Elland Road.
“He is 100 per cent ready and training, now we have to reintegrate him,” Klopp said on Friday. “He will be in the squad if nothing happens.
“We are happy to have him back, he is a breath of fresh air. He can’t train without a smile on his face. We have to see how we can bring him back step by step.”
Diaz will likely be named on the bench and eased back into action, but Darwin Nunez will be hoping for a return to the starting lineup having been among the substitutes in last week’s dramatic draw with Arsenal. He could replace Diogo Jota, with Cody Gakpo continuing through the middle.
Thiago made his first appearance for two months off the bench against the Gunners and is a “candidate for starting” at Elland Road, with Curtis Jones likely the player to drop out should that be the case.
Klopp revealed Ibrahima Konate has missed two days of training this week but is expected to return on Friday, while Alisson has also been away from the main group and will train by himself. Both look set to still be available against Leeds
“Little bit of illness here and knocks there,” Klopp said. “We had a few problems and hopefully, we will not get more.”
Starting Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Jota
