Jurgen Klopp says he expects to see Diogo Jota back in Liverpool training later this week.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference via Liverpool FC on YouTube, Klopp said Jota should be back on Thursday.
“I think Diogo can train from Thursday on,” said the Liverpool boss. Klopp went on to provide a further update on the other absentees.
“Thiago I think slightly later, so we’ll see. Calvin [Ramsay] is getting closer, Caoimh [Kelleher] I saw now walking outside for normal goalkeeper training, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel definitely.”
Liverpool getting closer to a full squad
It will be a relief for Klopp to be able to count on Jota once again. The £45m man missed the whole of pre-season with a hamstring injury.
In that respect, it may still be a little while before we see Jota back on the pitch. It’s unlikely in the extreme that Klopp would throw him back into the matchday squads with so little preparation.
With his teammates almost two months ahead of him fitness-wise, he’ll be given time to get up to speed.
Countering that though, Liverpool could really do with him. Saturday’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth has helped to paper over a few cracks, but The Reds are still looking worryingly thin.
In terms of forward options, Klopp has had to make do with just three from five being available. Fortunately, Roberto Firmino has stepped up admirably in Jota and Darwin Nunez’s absence, scoring two and assisting three at the weekend.
Bobby will go again against Newcastle United tomorrow evening. Darwin’s hotly anticipated return should then come in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
By the time that lunchtime kick-off rolls around, we should have some sightings of Jota out on the training pitches. Who knows we may even have a new signing joining him.
New signing or not, Jota’s return is another step to rebuilding this depleted Liverpool squad. Joel Matip and Curtis Jones have also returned to full training. Good news indeed.
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