Liverpool have received a timely injury boost ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday, according to a new report.
The Reds have welcomed back several key players to their squad in recent weeks, with Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino all having recovered from injuries.
Van Dijk started Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Premier League, and later stated he was hopeful of being fully fit to take on Real.
Jota, meanwhile, has come off the bench in Liverpool‘s last two matches, with Firmino having done the same.
The Brazilian forward replaced Darwin Nunez during the Newcastle win, with the Uruguayan forced off due to a shoulder complaint.
After the match, Klopp admitted his concern over the forward ahead of the Champions League fixture, stating: “In the end, he had to go off with a shoulder issue and we need further assessment.
“I don’t know [how serious] in the moment. It’s painful, but hopefully it’s just painful and nothing more.”
Now, it appears that Nunez’s injury is not as serious as potentially first feared.
Liverpool handed Nunez injury boost
Speaking on Monday, Klopp confirmed that there was a ‘chance‘ that the forward could face Real at Anfield – but that it depended on whether he could deal with the pain caused by his shoulder issue.
However, the Uruguayan was spotted in training on Monday afternoon ahead of the game, as reported by Liverpool Echo journalist Theo Squires.
This was then followed by photos posted by Liverpool’s official Twitter account that show Nunez participating in training drills, including heading the ball.
That at least appears to give the forward an opportunity of making it back in time for the clash against Los Blancos, although is still unclear as to whether he will be deemed fully fit to start.
If he does not play, Nunez could be replaced by Jota, who would be starting his first competitive game since October, or Firmino, who hasn’t started since November.
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