Huge Training Boost For Liverpool Ahead Of Clash Against Close Rivals Everton.

Liverpool have received a huge injury boost, as some of their key players returned to full training ahead of Monday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

Following the devastating 3-0 defeat at Wolves, the Reds uploaded photos from their latest session at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday, with the quartet of  Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, and Arthur Melo all spotted in training, as they get close to a return to first team action.

Jota hasn’t played since October after suffering a serious calf injury in the closing stages of Liverpool's 1-0 win over Man City in October.

The 25-year-old was stretchered off the pitch, with Jurgen Klopp not exactly putting a timeframe on his recovery, but confirmed he would be out for long which saw Jota miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Portugal.

Jota has now returned to full training, along with on-loan Juventus midfield Arthur Melo who managed just 13 minutes of action since arriving from Turin and has been unavailable since being forced to have thigh surgery in October.

Meanwhile, key duo Virgil van Dijk (hamstring) and Roberto Firmino (calf) both appeared to join in with the warm-up before undergoing individual sessions as they work back towards full training. 

Fabinho is also back from illness after missing last week’s 3-0 loss at Wolves.

Manager Klopp have been suffering with a string of injuries for much of the season, but he is set to have more options available to him very soon when these players are back to fitness.

However, there were five players who could not be spotted with the rest of Klopp’s squad in pictures uploaded by Liverpool’s media team.

Thiago Alcantara could not be spotted with the rest of his team-mates for reasons yet unknown. The midfielder played for 85 minutes in the defeat against Wolves. His absence may be related to an injury. It could be that the Spain international is being managed by Klopp given the injury issues he’s had in the past. 

Still sidelined for Liverpool are Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate, with the former still not expected back until March, while the French defender will be back before the end of February.

In addition, Fabio Carvalho was another player not snapped. The forward missed two games recently with a minor issue before returning to the bench against Wolves.

The Reds welcome Everton to Anfield on Monday night, and Klopp would be hoping that he has some of his returning stars at his disposal for the clash over their bitter rivals who now have a new manager Sean Dyche, overseeing a 1-0 victory over in-form leaders Arsenal in his first game in charge.

The reverse fixture at Goodison Park ended as a goalless draw in September.

Statistically, Klopp's men have won just one game in 2023, which was against Wolverhampton in the FA Cup. That means, they are winless in the Premier League this year.

Liverpool can go level on points with eighth-placed Fulham, leapfrogging Chelsea, if they secure a win.

They have been well below par this season and languish just 10th in the Premier League table.