Liverpool have been without several key stars for a few weeks now as injuries bite around Arne Slot's first-team squad.
The likes of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota have been out injured recently while Alexis Mac Allister is serving a ban.
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It means Slot's squad has been stretched to the limit with the likes of Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez being drafted into the starting XI.
Ahead of a gruelling mid-to-late December schedule where the Reds face five matches in just over two weeks, the Dutchman needs all his players back sooner rather than later.
Virgil van Dijk Ibrahima Konate Diogo Jota Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Virgil van Dijk Ibrahima Konate Diogo Jota Liverpool 2024-25
Tsimikas back in training
This week brought some welcome injury news with Tsimikas and Konate being spotted back at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.
It is hoped that the two defenders could set foot on the pitch again before the end of 2024.
On Friday morning it was confirmed by Arne Slot that both Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could be in contention for the weekend's Premier League fixture against Fulham at Anfield.
Arne Slot Federico Chiesa Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Federico Chiesa Liverpool 2024-25
Jota and Chiesa BACK for Liverpool
Jota hasn't played since injuring his ribs in the game against Chelsea ahead of the October international break with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz featuring up top in his absence.
But Slot is optimistic that the Portuguese could be involved on Saturday at 3pm.
Chiesa hasn't been involved in the first team since September and played his only Premier League minutes against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Since then he has been absent with a muscle injury as well as illness, playing and scoring for the under-21s last week.
In a welcome update, Slot was also cautiously optimistic that the Italy international might make it into the matchday squad at the weekend.
"I think they are [available]," Slot told his pre-match press conference on Friday morning. "We have one training session to go. Federico missed quite a lot. We have to see. Maybe Diogo is in the squad, maybe Federico as well but that depends on the numbers we have."
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