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With the news that Jordan Henderson is out for a month at least, Liverpool fans will want to know if there’s any light at the end of the tunnel at this point.
In his pre-Sheffield United press conference, manager Jürgen Klopp provided some updates on returning players’ progress back into the first team.
Diogo Jota, who rejoined team training session this week, is looking “really promising” according to Klopp — and given the need for goals up front his return is eagerly anticipated, with hopes that he quickly regains the form that saw him quickly score nine goals in a red shirt.
Though he has trained twice with the first team, Klopp is hesitant due to the length of his injury. The last thing any of us want is to lose a player again swiftly after they return from a spell on the sidelines.
Fabinho and James Milner are looking to return to team training themselves, making it unlikely that they’ll be able to feature at the weekend.
“Fab was not yet with the team. That can happen tomorrow, if I’m 100 per cent right, he has his first session with the team. And same for James Milner.”
Given that Naby Keïta was an unused substitute against Everton, we can assume he remains available as there has been no news of to the contrary.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Who knows at this point.
The loss of Jordan Henderson will be felt massively, but Klopp insists that the captain, like the other big characters out long-term this season, will nonetheless impact the squad.
“They are here doing their rehab - Hendo is not here yet, but Virgil, Millie, Joe and Joel all have to be influential here and that’s what they will be. In the moment Hendo is back [in Kirkby] he has to play this role while doing his rehab.”
If you’re tired of being gut-punched by injury news I will note that Liverpool FC in Uruguay are top of the league and seem to have a fully fit squad...