The potential availability of Adam Lallana for Monday night’s trip to face Watford could be a valuable boost ahead of Liverpool’s final Champions League run in.
Lallana returned to full training on Friday and could be set to slot straight back into the starting line-up as the Reds look to cement a highly-contested top four spot.
Jurgen Klopp admits it would be difficult to overlook the opportunity to field the England international from the start if he is fit in time to play.
“I saw his last four rehabs sessions and he looked really good. In the end, it’s a difference from that to first-team training but it’s wonderful to have him back. In our situation, to have a player back from injury, it’s great.”
“You have to think about whether he could start and whether he is ready for 45 minutes or more. If not then he cannot start because we cannot make the first change in the first half.”
“We’ll see how he is but it’s the best news we could get.”
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The Reds boss is by no means one to risk players just returning to full fitness yet it will be tough to resist the temptation to do just that at such a decisive stage of the Premier League campaign.
Lallana, who has missed the previous five games due to a thigh injury, is one of this squad’s leaders and a man capable of inspiring the monumental effort needed his teammates as they look to fight off competition from Manchester United and Arsenal.
His return would be vital in reestablishing the interchanging and movement that saw the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Lallana himself drive Liverpool to such an impressive start to the season.