Injured Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino were back out on the grass at the AXA Training Centre yesterday.
Van Dijk has been injured since coming off at half-time against Brentford on January 2nd. Firmino meanwhile hasnât featured since before the World Cup break almost three months ago,
But now, as per the Liverpool Echo, both could be nearing a return. The two players were reportedly being put through individual sessions as their rehab steps up a gear.
Itâs said to be âunclearâ whether or not theyâll be involved in tomorrowâs trip to face Wolves. Given that neither are yet to join group training though, it feels incredibly unlikely that weâll see Firmino or Van Dijk at Molineux. Still, great to have you back, lads.
Liverpool getting the band back together
We were beginning to wonder what had happened to Bobby Firmino. Upon his injury prior to the seasonâs restart, the initial diagnosis didnât seem to be too serious.
Despite that, his reappearance has continuously been pushed back. Without any real clarity over what the issue even is, this has been a concern.
In his absence Liverpool have struggled. That isnât purely down to Bobby not being there, but he was in excellent form before his injury.
As a result, perhaps the 31-year-oldâs contract situation has benefitted more by him not actually playing. Jurgen Klopp has had plenty of glimpses into what life would be like without his No.9, and it doesnât look good.
Maybe itâs just coincidence, but a new deal for Firmino now looks like being closer than ever to being agreed.
As for Virgil, thereâs maybe less of a rush to get him back. That might sound strange, but the Dutchmanâs form had been nosediving for a little while before his injury.
Liverpool havenât exactly been good without Van Djik in the back-line, that must be said. But they did keep their first clean sheet in seven games against Wolves and backed that up with another against Chelsea.
With Ibrahima Konate now injured though, the timing for his return is good. After so much football in the last 18 months, hopefully a little break will have allowed him the rest he needs to get back to being at his âmagnificentâ best.