James Milner returned to first team training on Tuesday as the Reds continued their preparations for this Friday’s visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Liverpool’s vice-captain was absent for Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield after suffering a late muscle issue.
Milner had been tipped to slot in as a make-shift right-back following injuries to first choice Trent Alexander-Arnold and backup Joe Gomez.
With the midfielder sidelined, Nathaniel Clyne was subsequently given the nod to make his first Premier League start of the season and just his second appearance across all competitions.
Discussing his fitness, Milner told Liverpoolfc.com: “I just had a bit of a sensation in my hamstring at the end of the Napoli game and made the decision, the manager made the decision [to miss Sunday’s game].”
“It was the right thing not to risk me at the weekend, so hopefully I’ll be fine for the next game.”
Pre-Wolves workout. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Yw2gtFzRTy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2018
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Jurgen Klopp gives ‘surprising’ injury update on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jurgen Klopp could yet deploy Milner as a full-back at Molineux in consideration of Clyne’s lack of regular minutes so far this campaign.
The pair give their manager a welcomed freedom to rotate across a key festive period as he waits on the fitness of Alexander-Arnold.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp admitted the 20-year-old has been recovering better than expected following his ankle injury against Napoli.
He said: “It looks surprisingly good. Wolves might be a little early. Pain goes down second by second.”