Mohamed Salah is expected to return to fitness for Liverpool’s clash at home to Man City on January 14, after missing last two games through injury.
The Egyptian was absent for both the 2-1 win away to Burnley on New Year’s Day and Friday’s victory by the same scoreline at home to Everton in the FA Cup.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to field a makeshift forward line at Turf Moor, with Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain flanking Dominic Solanke.
Both clashes required a late header from a centre-back to seal the victory, with Ragnar Klavan scoring late on against the Clarets and Virgil van Dijk winning the Merseyside derby on his debut.
But Klopp should be buoyed by the return of his top scorer for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with leaders City.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Salah is set to report for training at Melwood on Tuesday, after a short break with the rest of the squad in Dubai.
They report that following a groin injury “he has responded well to treatment, and as it stands is in line to be available at the weekend.”
Following Philippe Coutinho‘s £142 million move to Barcelona this month, Salah’s return will be key to Liverpool’s hopes.
Salah was awarded the Reds’ Goal of the Month award for December on Tuesday for his stunning effort in the season’s first clash with Everton, and his tally now stands at 23.
He has also contributed eight assists in 29 appearances so far this term, and after Coutinho’s exit he is Liverpool’s joint-top creator, along with James Milner and Roberto Firmino.
Klopp rotated his squad carefully throughout a busy festive run, but despite this Salah started every game last month, likely leading to his injury.
Now, he will hopefully hit the ground running once again, with Liverpool eager to take revenge for September’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still undefeated in the league, and though they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Crystal Palace on New Year’s Eve, they sit 15 points clear of Man United at the top.
They are 18 points ahead of Liverpool, who are currently fourth, but Klopp maintains that prior to Mane’s red card at the Etihad last year his side were well in the race.
With Salah likely restored alongside Mane and Firmino on Sunday, the Reds could stand a chance of becoming the first side to defeat City in the English top flight this campaign.
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