International break helps Klopp to recover key players

While Pep Guardiola was left cursing the recent international break with a number of his players falling to the dreaded FIFA Virus, the two-week break was kind to fellow title challengers Liverpool. Klopp’s internationals, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Caoimhin Kelleher, Dominik Szoboszlai, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz, Wataru Endo and Conor Bradley all returned home safe and sound. With domestic competition on hold, it gave the coach an opportunity to empty out the casualty room.

As it stands, three players are back in full training and available for Sunday’s clash with Brighton at Anfield. Just over a month ago, 12 players occupied the Reds’ sick bay. Now, there are half as many and out of those, at least three are expected back at some point over the next few weeks.

Darwin excused from international duty

Darwin Núñez was called up by Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa for friendlies against the Basque Country and the Ivory Coast but was withdrawn from the list after pulling his hamstring during the FA Cup quarter final against United. It seems that the forward suffered a mild sprain and not a tear - Klopp confirmed that he has been training as normal for the past few days and will be in the list even if he is not guaranteed to start.

Curtis Jones picked up a nasty ankle injury in the 1-4 win at Brentford in February. That kept him out for 39 days, forcing him to miss league games against Luton, Forest and City; two FA Cup ties and the EFL Cup final against Chelsea. The midfielder found himself on the treatment table just as he had carved out a regular niche in the side and now will have to win it back with Mac Allister, Endo and Szoboszlai in superb form not looking like they will be dislodged.

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Ibrahima Konaté missed both the City and United games with a thigh muscle issue. The centre-back played the full 90 minutes of France’s friendly against Chile but was kept on the bench for the first game, against Germany. Klopp gave Ibou an extra day to rest on his return. Jarell Quansah has deputised in his absence.

Liverpool trio on the mend

Klopp hopes to have three or four players available again in April: Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Stefan Bajcetic. Jota is progressing well with his rehabilitation from a knee injury (collateral ligament).

Trent ruptured the lateral ligament in his left knee in the 3-1 win over Burnley on 10 February and hasn’t played since. Alisson has been out with an unspecified hamstring issue - most likely a tear, since mid-February. His deputy Kelleher has been solid and improving with each outing, so the Brazilian will also have to fight to reclaim his place.

It’s been a long season for Bajcetic who has been laid low with a calf muscle injury since the start of the campaign but the Spaniard is starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. He will be back before the season ends, possibly in April, definitely in May.

That leaves long-term casualties Thiago Alcântara and Joel Matip, both recovering from serious injuries. It’s unlikely either will be back to full fitness and available to play competitively within the next eight weeks and with both players nearing the end of their contracts, they may have already played their final games for Liverpool.