Manchester City and Liverpool have been dealt contrasting injury updates ahead of the blockbuster Premier League run-in.
Just one point separates the two rivals at the top of the table, with City holding the edge despite dropping points in two of their last four games, drawing 0-0 at Crystal Palace last time out. The Reds have closed what appeared to be an unassailable 14-point gap in mid-January thanks to a breathtaking run of nine consecutive victories, including a 2-0 win at Arsenal before the international break.
This season's enthralling title race could be determined by fine margins and player availability is sure to play a major role, especially as given City and Liverpool remain in the Champions League and FA Cup. To that end, Jurgen Klopp 's side have received a timely boost as Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to training.
The right-back - who leads the Premier League for assists with 11 this season - suffered a hamstring strain before the international break which ruled him out of England's friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast. Initial scans showed Alexander-Arnold would be sidelined for many weeks, handing him a race against time to be fit for next Sunday's all-important clash with City. However, Klopp confirmed the 23-year-old returned to full training on Friday, meaning he has recovered a full week ahead of schedule.
"Trent trained yesterday in parts, and will be in full training today and we will see what we do with it," Klopp told reporters. "Sometimes injuries - thank God - are not that serious that you are out for five to six weeks and it is two to three weeks. "It is tight for tomorrow [when Liverpool host Watford ] but it's possible from what I hear. Physically, he should be fine. Now, I have to make a decision about rhythm." The Reds boss was also optimistic Alexander-Arnold will feature against Benfica on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, while Naby Keita and James Milner are also closing in on returns to fitness.
While Klopp may soon have a clean bill of health at Anfield, the mood is less rosy over at the Etihad, where Pep Guardiola remains without the services of Ruben Dias. The star centre-back sustained a hamstring injury in early March and remains at least 10 days away from a return to fitness, essentially ruling him out of facing Liverpool next weekend. "I think he needs 10 more days or two more weeks," Guardiola said of Dias. There was more positive news regarding John Stones, who will be available for Saturday's trip to Burnley having withdrawn from the England squad with a minor complaint last weekend.
The 27-year-old is expected to partner Aymeric Laporte in defence and the Frenchman has issued a defiant warning to Liverpool, insisting City "can't be afraid of anyone". Addressing comparisons to the Reds, Laporte told The Guardian : "The football we play, no one else plays in the world. We're an example of how to play nice football, to be superior in all areas. I think they'd like even part of our game."
