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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Malley

Thiago, Elliott, Origi - Liverpool injury latest and expected return dates

Liverpool are due to play their first match in two weeks following the Premier League ’s enforced winter break, when Cardiff City are the visitors to Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds have been able to use the past fortnight to get injured players back to full fitness and match sharpness and this weekend's FA Cup Fourth Round tie represents an opportunity to welcome back some familiar faces.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane remain at the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of competing against each other in the final on the same day, but Naby Keita has returned after Guinea were knocked out in the Last 16.

Elsewhere, defenders Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips have departed on loan, while Luis Diaz is an exciting new addition following his switch from Porto.

Here is the current state of play at Anfield and the potential return dates for those who have been on the sidelines.

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott is set to return to the Liverpool squad on Sunday (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Have Liverpool shown that they can cope without Salah and Mane over the past month? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Youngster Harvey Elliott is set to make his long-awaited return to first team action this weekend following a horror ankle injury he sustained in September.

The midfielder has made a remarkable comeback from the injury, earlier than many had expected, and after participating in first team training of late, is set to return on Sunday.

Ahead of the Cardiff game, Klopp revealed: "He is in a good place and is in full team training now, but we have to see what is right for him. He will be in the squad definitely for the Cardiff game and from there we go."

Thiago

Spanish midfielder Thiago had been nursing an injury ahead of the recent winter break and it was expected that he would be available once again for this weekend.

However, despite recovering from the injury, the 30-year-old suffered another minor setback after picking up a chest infection, although Klopp hasn’t ruled out his involvement on Sunday.

Speaking on Friday, Klopp said: "Unfortunately, he had a little chest infection so he had to step a little bit aside again. That’s not perfect, but I expect him to be in team training today."

Divock Origi

Divock Origi is edging closer to a return (Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Belgian striker Divock Origi is also edging closer to making a long overdue return to the Anfield playing surface following the knee injury he sustained in December.

Origi has been out of the squad since he scored in the 2-1 Champions League victory at AC Milan on December 7, but there is no guarantee that he will be included in the squad for the visit of Cardiff on Sunday.

Klopp said: "Divock, yesterday, first time team training, looked very good, but it was the first time after a while, so from here we go as well."

Naby Keita

Naby Keita is back from AFCON duty with Guinea (KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite not being an injury concern ahead of the next fixture, Naby Keita has been out of action for the past month following his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea.

Keita captained his side in their three group stage games as they finished runners up in Group B, with the midfielder scoring in their final match, but he missed their Last 16 loss to Gambia through suspension.

On Friday, Klopp said: “Naby is completely fine. Naby came back full of energy, had a few days off as well. Came back here after the tournament full of energy and confidence, so that looked good.”

Liverpool are also still without Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Sadio Mane (Senegal) who will be competing against each other in Sunday's AFCON final.

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