Liverpool are nearing the end of yet another gruelling run of fixtures that has been made even more testing by a series of injuries.
But, fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, a fitness crisis that had threatened to derail the season should be starting to ease.
Here, we examine how the German’s squad is shaping up ahead of the run-in.
Ibrahima Konate
Injury: Muscle
Last appearance: Sparta Prague (A) – March 7
The Frenchman missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Man City after pulling up with a muscle issue during the preceding visit to Sparta Prague.
However, it is thought only to be minor and so Konate should be in contention to face Man United this weekend.
He was spotted running freely around the pitch at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday and, though not yet in full training, that is a positive sign.
Ryan Gravenberch
Injury: Ankle
Last appearance: Carabao Cup final – February 25
As reported by This Is Anfield last week, Gravenberch is recovering from ankle ligament damage sustained courtesy of a poor challenge from Moises Caicedo in the Carabao Cup final.
Fortunately, he avoided a more serious injury and is expected to be back after the international break at the latest.
Curtis Jones
Injury: Ankle
Last appearance: Brentford (A) – February 17
Pep Lijnders appeared to give Jones a chance of returning before the break when, late last month, he said: “Curtis is probably the first one [to come back] around the international break.”
It remains to be seen if the young Scouser will be available this week but, if not, then he is certain to be involved against Brighton on March 31.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Injury: Knee
Last appearance: Burnley (H) – February 10
Alexander-Arnold is recovering from an LCL injury and it is expected he will be back to face Brighton after the break.
Encouragingly, the right-back was seen without the brace on his knee as he applauded players off the pitch after the draw with Man City.
Stefan Bajcetic
Injury: Musculoskeletal
Last appearance: Leicester (H) – September 27
The 19-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances this season as a result of a stress response in his adductor and subsequent growing pains.
Liverpool are taking a cautious approach to his recovery, but Klopp recently intimated that he is close to resuming training and a return after the international break is not out of the question.
Alisson
Injury: Hamstring
Last appearance: Arsenal (A) – February 4
Alisson has been out since suffering a serious hamstring injury last month, but it is thought he will be back around early April.
Diogo Jota
Injury: Knee
Last appearance: Brentford (A) – February 17
Jota is working to a similar timeline after he sustained a knee injury at Brentford, with mid-April the target according to reports in Portugal.
Ben Doak
Injury: Knee
Last appearance: Union SG (A) – December 14
Doak, too, should be back in April having undergone surgery on a torn meniscus prior to Christmas.
Thiago
Injury: Muscle
Last appearance: Arsenal (A) – February 4
Klopp was forced to concede that Thiago might not feature again this season after he sustained a serious muscle injury on his long-awaited return at Arsenal.
With the Spaniard out of contract at the end of the season, his Liverpool career is likely over.
Joel Matip
Injury: Knee
Last appearance: Fulham (H) – December 3
The same goes for Matip, who has no chance of appearing again this season after suffering an ACL injury.
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