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3 Liverpool players who will benefit from Everton postponement

Liverpool must now wait until Tuesday to return to action after Saturday's Merseyside derby with Everton was postponed on safety grounds as a result of Storm Darragh.

That means by the time the Reds travel to face Girona in the Champions League next week, it will have been six days since their last fixture in that 3-3 draw away to Newcastle in the Premier League. While supporters will have been left disappointed at the news, there is some positivity for the players.

The majority, like the fans, will have been looking forward to facing off against the Toffees in the last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, yet those coming back from injury and still needing a little extra time to recover may be thankful for the postponement.

With this in mind, Liverpool.com takes a look at which players will benefit from today's Everton postponement as the Reds await a new rescheduled date.

Alisson

Liverpool No.1 Alisson has missed the last 11 games in all competitions after suffering from a long-term hamstring injury sustained in the 1-0 victory away to Crystal Palace on October 5.

The good news, however, is that the Brazilian is nearing a return to full fitness, although despite confirming he "will be ready very soon", Arne Slot said this week that the 32-year-old would not be back in time for the Merseyside derby.

Nonetheless, today's postponement now means that Alisson will be fit and ready for the newly rescheduled date, barring any more issues, providing a huge boost for Slot when his side eventually travels to Goodison Park for the momentous occasion.

Jota has returned to training but is not quite yet ready to feature in a matchday squad

Diogo Jota is one of seven Liverpool players who were set to be unavailable against Everton

Diogo Jota

Portuguese forward Diogo Jota is another who will benefit from the Merseyside derby postponement as he continues to recover from injury. Having also sustained his muscle issue during that October trip to Selhurst Park, the 28-year-old has missed the last 10 games for the Reds.

Prior to being sidelined, Jota had started the season as Slot's first-choice striker and bagged four goals and two assists in his first 10 games of the season. The Liverpool manager stated during the week, however, that the former Wolves man would not be available for the Merseyside derby.

Jota is "close" to finally returning though, Slot added, and that means he will be another who will be available for selection once more by the time the clash with Everton is rearranged. With Darwin Nunez struggling for form, this is a huge boost for both Liverpool and Jota.

Chiesa played an hour for Liverpool’s under-21s in midweek as he scored in a 4-3 defeat to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland as he continues to build up his fitness

Federico Chiesa is also 'close' to a full return but would have missed out on the Merseyside derby

Federico Chiesa

The third player to be nearing a return to action is summer signing Federico Chiesa, who has endured a terrible time since joining the club from Juventus in August. In just over three months, the Italian has tallied 78 minutes of action.

Along with Jota, though, Slot has confirmed that the 27-year-old is closing in on a return to action and even played an hour for Liverpool’s under-21s in midweek as he scored in a 4-3 defeat to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland as he continues to build up his fitness.

While Chiesa is unlikely to be a regular starter this season, having him as a valuable option off the bench for the rearranged Merseyside derby will be huge for the Reds. In fact, with the game set to be a midweek affair, his return will be all the more important given Liverpool will have weekend games either side of the tie.

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