Liverpool’s Merseyside Derby squad on Saturday could be their strongest of the season so far, as they welcome back two players.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed during yesterday’s press conference that Diogo Jota would return to training on Thursday.
Saturday may come too soon for him. But there’s at least a chance for Jota to be involved with two days of training under his belt.
Definitely returning will be Darwin Nunez, who sits out the last of his three-game suspension tonight. With the two forwards back available, Liverpool’s squad will instantly look a much more threatening prospect to Everton.
Liverpool finally getting the band back together
If Jota gets through training fine, then Klopp will have a decision to make about his inclusion on Saturday.
A factor in that will also be how tonight’s match against Newcastle United plays out. If Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah sparkle as they did last weekend, there’ll be no need to rush Jota or Nunez.
If Liverpool fail to ignite in the way they have in the previous three games, there will be pressure on to change things.
Thankfully, should the worst happen tonight, Klopp will finally have some options. With the greatest of praise and respect to Bobby Clark, he isn’t the man Liverpool would have expected to be turning to in the Premier League this season.
The big guns are back. For the first time ever, Klopp will be able to pick from all of Nunez, Jota, Salah, Firmino and Diaz. Facing an Everton side who are still yet to win the league this season, Liverpool will be hot favourites.
Jota was brilliant in this fixture last season. The Portugal star scored a lovely goal to top off a brilliant 4-1 win. He may not get the chance to replicate that this weekend, but his presence alone should give Liverpool a boost.
As for Darwin, it’ll be fascinating whether Klopp decides to throw him straight back in. Given the hot-tempered nature of the game, it’s possibly best that he doesn’t. But what a chance to announce his comeback if he can get on the pitch.
With these two hopefully back in the squad, Liverpool instantly look better staffed. There are a few more important faces still missing, but The Reds are slowly getting the band back together.
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