Liverpool have been boosted by the return to training of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on Wednesday.
The £25 million summer signing sat out Monday’s match against Man United at Anfield after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty with the Netherlands the week before.
The extent of the injury and timeframe for his return was not fully known until images of Wijnaldum were shared on social media on Wednesday.
Back at it ?? https://t.co/LOcCvxWCYh
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) October 19, 2016
Liverpool badly missed both Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana against United, with the two having started every league game prior to Monday alongside Jordan Henderson.
Lallana was fit enough for the bench, playing the final 30 minutes and giving Liverpool energy and drive from midfield.
Post-match Jurgen Klopp explained that Lallana had trained for the two days leading up to the game and could have been risked from the start.
Instead, Emre Can made his first league start of the season, and Philippe Coutinho dropped into the midfield three.
Wijnaldum and Lallana both now look set to be fit for Saturday evening’s visit of West Brom to Anfield, leaving Klopp with a full strength squad to choose from.
The return of the duo will likely see Emre Can drop back to the bench, and Coutinho move into the attacking three with Daniel Sturridge‘s place under threat there.
There’s certainly competition for places.
Meanwhile, James Milner sat out the session, having picked up a knock against United. It’s not yet known whether he’ll be ok for Saturday. Klopp’s pre-match press conference is on Thursday lunchtime when he will inform the media.
Joe Gomez was in full training as he continues his recovery. Sheyi Ojo is the only long-term absentee currently.
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