Reds receive timely boost as potential game-changers ready for return

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Despite a worrying performance in the Reds defeat to Napoli in Edinburgh, there is some good news on the horizon. Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keïta – notable absences on this pre-season – have returned to training and will be at Evian with their teammates.

“Shaqiri and Keita as well, they already trained one session with us,” Klopp told the club’s official website after the full-time whistle at Murrayfield.

“They are not here but they will come tomorrow because they train today. They will come tomorrow and should hopefully be a step further.

“Hopefully they can play a couple of minutes on Wednesday; five of six [aside from Sadio Mane] back, which is a good number.”

Although it is already understood Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker are scheduled to return on Monday, Keïta and Shaqiri’s return to the fold was less clarified.

Thankfully, having seemingly recovered from their respective injuries, the news comes as a massive boost amid the somewhat troubling showing against Napoli.

In the absence of senior stars, Klopp has made use of an attacking trio containing Gini Wijnaldum, Divock Origi, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Of the previously-injured returnees, Shaqiri especially will be a welcome and necessary addition to Klopp’s attacking options.

As long as the success of their rehabilitation programmes continues and they are passed fit to play, both could find much-needed minutes against Lyon in Geneva.

Klopp will need as many players back, fully-fit and firing, as soon as possible; with the Community Shield and the 2019/20 season fast approaching, he will be eager to ease them back into action.

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