Liverpool’s German duo Loris Karius and Emre Can are both believed to be recovering well from their respective hand and foot injuries.
Karius broke his hand during the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the United States, clashing with centre-back Dejan Lovren as both players challenged for a loose ball.
This served to derail the 23-year-old’s positive start to life on Merseyside, after joining from Mainz 05 in a deal worth £4.7 million earlier in the summer.
Karius took the No. 1 shirt on his move, and is widely expected to assume the role of first-choice goalkeeper when fully fit.
According to Goal’s Melissa Reddy, this should come “by the end of September,” with Karius’ recovery “on track.”
The former Manchester City youth has trained alongside the likes of Simon Mignolet, Alex Manninger and Kamil Grabara at Melwood throughout his time on the sidelines, but has been restricted to light fitness work.
This improved on Tuesday, however, when he was able to take up his position in goal, but Karius could only make saves with his left hand.
“Amazing to be back catching some balls,” he told his 345,000 Instagram followers, “although it would be easier to use the second hand as well.”
Karius is due to have a wire support removed from his hand on Wednesday, with his recovery programme scheduled for another three weeks.
Meanwhile Can, who was forced to drop out of the Germany squad for the upcoming international break due to an ankle injury, is not expected to be sidelined for long.
The 22-year-old had already missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur due to the problem suffered in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Burton Albion in the League Cup, but according to the Liverpool Echo, is targeting a return by September 10.
The Reds welcome Premier League champions Leicester City to the newly redeveloped Anfield for their first home game of the season after the break.
Can is hopeful of featuring against the Foxes, though whether he is passed fit to start remains to be seen.
Liverpool are said to be “taking no chances” with Can’s recovery, given it is a recurrence of an injury from last season, and this should be an encouraging standpoint for supporters.
Can is set to take up a key role in Jurgen Klopp‘s midfield this season, stationed at the base of a three-man unit, and having the former Bayer Leverkusen man fully fit is imperative to the Reds’ success in 2016/17.
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