A key Liverpool star has returned to fitness ahead of Liverpool's trip to Girona
Reds boss Arne Slot has named the returning star in his travelling squad
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By CARL MARKHAM, PA
Published: 13:04 EST, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 13:04 EST, 9 December 2024
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been named in Liverpool's Champions League squad for their match in Girona.
The Brazil international, 32, has been sidelined since October with a hamstring problem which has seen him miss 11 matches.
Alisson and forward Diogo Jota, who has not featured since sustaining a chest injury against Chelsea on October 20, were both involved in full training at Liverpool's AXA training complex on Monday.
However, only the goalkeeper has been included in the 19-man party which flew out to Spain from Merseyside for Tuesday evening's game.
Caoimhin Kelleher has kept five clean sheets, including two against Real Madrid and Manchester City, since he began covering for Alisson but made his first real error at Newcastle on Wednesday with his late misjudgement allowing the hosts to snatch a 3-3 draw.
'So happy to be back,' Alisson posted on Instagram from on board the team plane before take-off.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been named in Liverpool's Champions League squad for their match in Girona
Alisson returns from a lengthy injury layoff and has already missed 11 matches so far this season
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister also did not travel as he is suspended.
But the return of Alisson and Jota is a boost for head coach Arne Slot ahead of the busy festive schedule to come.
Forward Federico Chiesa, whose own fitness struggles have limited him to three appearances since joining late in the summer, was not present at training due to illness.
Chiesa, a £10million signing from Juventus, scored for the under-21s last week as he stepped up his recovery.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be boosted for the contest by Alisson's return to fitness
Slot is still without defenders Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, who are all likely to be out until the new year.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, has been named in the FIFPRO Men's World11, voted for by more than 21,000 professional players around the world, for the fourth time.