Diogo Jota in Liverpool training
Liverpool have been handed a boost with the news that Alisson and Diogo Jota have both returned to training.
Arne Slot's side take on Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday, having already all but booked their place in the round of 16. The Reds have a maximum 15 points from five games, putting them in great shape for a top-eight finish with the seven teams between sixth and 12th all locked together on 10.
Alisson hasn't played since early October, when he was forced off with a hamstring problem during the win against Crystal Palace. Caoimhin Kelleher has proved an able deputy in Europe, saving a Kylian Mbappe penalty as the Reds beat Real Madrid, though he had a night to forget against Newcastle in Liverpool's last Premier League outing.
Portuguese forward Jota has spent almost as long on the sidelines. He was injured in the very next game, a victory over Chelsea, but could make his first European appearance since the victory over Bologna on October 2.
While Jota and Alisson are back in contention, Federico Chiesa may have to wait. The Italian international had been closing in on a return from injury, but he is understood to have missed Monday's training session through illness.
Summer signing Chiesa returned to action during a Premier League International Cup fixture against FC Nordsjaelland at the start of the month. The 27-year-old was among the goals after taking to the field as an overage player for the Reds' Under-21s, but couldn't prevent a 4-3 defeat.
The former Juventus star has managed just three appearances since joining towards the end of the summer transfer window. Only one of those has been a start, with Chiesa playing an hour against West Ham in the Carabao Cup in September.
Will Liverpool keep up their fast start against Girona? Have your say in the comments section
Liverpool go into Tuesday's match with the second-best defensive record in the Champions League. AC Milan's Christian Pulisic remains the only people to score against Slot's team in this season's competition, though Inter Milan haven't conceded at all.
Girona have found things a fair bit tougher in their first Champions League campaign. The Spanish side lost last season's top scorer Artem Dovbyk over the summer and have struggled to keep up last season's level of results.
Michel's team have won once - against Slovan Bratislava - and lost their other four fixtures. With matches against Milan and Arsenal to come, their hopes of remaining in Europe beyond the league phase are hanging by a thread.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.