Jurgen Klopp confirms huge Liverpool fitness boost ahead of Arsenal clash
By Tom Gott
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk will be back in action for the Reds against Arsenal on Sunday, with Thiago Alcantara likely to join him.
Van Dijk missed the recent goalless draw with Chelsea through illness, while Thiago has not been seen since early February after suffering a hip injury which forced him to miss Liverpool's last ten games across all competitions.
Injuries have caused plenty of problems for Liverpool, who have lost Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay to season-ending injuries. Winger Luis Diaz has also been missing since October with a knee problem, and although the Colombian is nearing a return, this Sunday will come too soon.
"The plan with Luis is that he will be available 100% for Leeds," Klopp told reporters. "It looks good, everything is fine but it was a long, long injury so we have to be careful. We will probably not involve him for Sunday."
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On Van Dijk and Thiago, Klopp continued: "Virgil was completely normal back in training. Luis and Thiago trained as normal. Thiago looks slightly different [to Diaz]. He is not out that long.
"Trained now three times, three or four times with the team. He might be available but we have to check how he feels [on Friday]."
Liverpool find themselves eighth in the Premier League, ten points adrift of the top four and behind both Tottenham and Brighton in pursuit of Europa League qualification.
Defeat against Mikel Arteta's champions-elect would open the door for Brentford to move ahead of Liverpool, while Fulham and Chelsea could both close the gap to Klopp's side to just one point.
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