Adam Lallana is another step closer to making his return for Liverpool, having reported for outdoor running at Melwood on Thursday morning.
The 29-year-old has been absent since the Reds’ Audi Cup clash with Atletico Madrid in Munich in August, missing the first seven games of the season so far.
Having picked up a serious thigh injury in that penalty-shootout defeat, Jurgen Klopp revealed Lallana would be sidelined for “a couple of months.”
This would keep the midfielder out until October, though November remained a more conservative target for his return to the first-team setup.
Lallana seems to be on track for his recovery, jogging alongside Adam Bogdan at Melwood for the first time.
Speaking at the beginning of September, Lallana said he was “getting on well—slowly but surely in the background,” adding that he was “obviously looking forward to being back.”
At the time, the Reds were on an excellent run of form, having just sealed their 4-0 win at home to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Since, however, they have suffered defeats to Man City in the league and Leicester City in the League Cup, as well as draws with Burnley in the league and Sevilla in the Champions League.
Lallana’s absence has been felt more considerably during this stretch, with a lack of on-field leadership clear, and the England international a key vocal presence.
It is still likely to be a while before he makes his comeback at senior level, but he could target a return after the October international break if all goes well.
The Reds take on Man United at Anfield in their first game back, after away clashes with Leicester, Spartak Moscow and Newcastle United.
Having Lallana back fit and firing would be a major boost, with the No. 20 having scored eight goals and assisted a further seven in 31 league games last season.
Nathaniel Clyne is Klopp’s only other major injury concern, and the right-back has already begun outdoor work, as the manager confirmed on Monday.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip missed training on Wednesday afternoon, but are expected to be fit for Saturday’s clash with the Foxes.
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