Liverpool experienced a horrendous start to the new season and saw 10 players injured following their first three games of the campaign, but things are finally starting to look up for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Joel Matip and Curtis Jones were back in the matchday squad against Newcastle United on Wednesday, while Calvin Ramsay and Diogo Jota returned to first-team training this week. Darwin Nunez has now also finally served his three-match ban, meaning Klopp's options are growing ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby.
Here is all you need to know about the state of play at Anfield and the expected return dates for those on the sidelines.
Jordan Henderson
The return of Jones to the matchday squad in midweek was the perfect boost to Liverpool's midfield problems ahead of this weekend, but that soon changed when Jordan Henderson became the latest player to pick up an injury following that 2-1 defeat of the Magpies.
The England international was replaced after 71 minutes when he was forced off through injury, with it quickly being revealed that he has suffered a hamstring problem, which now almost certainly rules him out of Saturday's trip to Everton as the Reds continue to suffer with casualties.
Speaking on Wednesday, Klopp said: "Obviously Hendo is injured; he got a hamstring [injury], which is absolutely not helpful. I don't think so. [It was] that serious that he couldn't carry on, so it was no tactical change."
Diogo Jota
Liverpool forward Jota has been sidelined with a thigh injury that he picked up during the pre-season camp in Thailand in July, meaning he has failed to feature for the Reds since the end of last season, but he also made his return to first-team training on Thursday.
Initially, there was plenty of optimism that Jota would be able to return to action by the end of August, but as he has not rejoined training until this week, he still remains a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Everton. He may be fit enough to feature against Napoli in the Champions league next week.
Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp said: "I think Diogo can train from Thursday on."
Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool midfielder Thiago remains out of action after being hauled off after just 51 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Fulham on the opening weekend, where he picked up a thigh injury.
Thiago is expected to be out for at least another week and will continue to be assessed over the coming days. Klopp is hoping that he will be able to make an early comeback.
Speaking on Tuesday, the German said: "I think Diogo can train from Thursday on and Thiago I think slightly later, so we will see."
Caoimhin Kelleher
Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is continuing to recover from a groin injury that he picked up during June’s international break with the Republic of Ireland, which has forced him out of action for the Reds ever since.
The 23-year-old picked up the injury following the 1-1 draw with Ukraine on June 14, before feeling the same problem again once he returned to Liverpool’s training base for pre-season. A return to the squad could be expected soon as he has begun individual training.
Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp said: "Caoimh, I saw now only walking outside going for normal goalkeeper training."
Calvin Ramsay
Liverpool’s third signing of the summer, Ramsay is yet to make a single appearance for the club since joining from Aberdeen, with the teenager being kept out of action as the Reds opt to address an old injury issue.
Ramsay was spotted in Liverpool’s first-team training on Monday, which signals that he may also be on his way back to full fitness. It is unclear whether Ramsay was taking part in full training or just stepping up to the final stages of his recovery.
Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp said: "Calvin is getting closer."
Naby Keita
Reds midfielder Naby Keita was the latest name to be added to the long list of injuries at Anfield when he was ruled out of last month’s clash with Manchester United, leaving Klopp’s options worryingly thin.
Keita made a late cameo in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City on July 30 before missing the opening-weekend Premier League draw at Fulham through illness. He returned to the bench for the following game against Crystal Palace, but has been ruled out of action ever since - and it will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on August 26, Klopp said: "Naby will not be ready for the weekend, of course not. We still need to have a look exactly how long it will take. It's a muscle and it's not 100 per cent clear, but [he] will not be in for the next week."
Ibrahima Konate
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate featured in Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly of the summer against Strasbourg on July 30 but was substituted after 57 minutes with a knee injury and has been ruled out of action ever since.
It was initially thought that the Frenchman’s condition wasn’t too serious and he may have been back in contention for the opening-weekend trip to face Fulham, but it is looking like he will be ruled out for the long term, with a specific return date yet to be determined.
Speaking on August 5, Klopp said: "Ibou, in a challenge in the game against Strasbourg, what happened there we have to see how long it will take, but he is out for a while."
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains sidelined for the next two to three months after picking up another injury during the 2-0 friendly defeat of Crystal Palace in pre-season on July 15.
The 28-year-old was taken off just before half-time with a thigh injury and is set for a lengthy spell in the treatment room. Due to the timing of the World Cup in November, Oxlade-Chamberlain may not pull on a Liverpool shirt again until the Premier League returns in late December.
Speaking on July 29, Klopp said: "It’s a serious hamstring injury, and it will take longer. But it’s a hamstring, and we all hate this word, we hate the injury, but anyway, it happens from time to time, and now Ox was the one."
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