Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota has broken his silence after returning to training following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Portugal international has been out of action since he was stretchered off late on in the Reds' 1-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield. He has been resigned to just four appearances this season after being forced off in October.
A serious calf injury forced him to also miss the World Cup in November as Fernando Santos' side were knocked out in the quarter-finals. His comeback provides a welcome boost for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds as they endure one of the worst periods of results since the German replaced Brendan Rodgers in 2015.
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He wasn't the only returnee to the fold as Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Arthur Melo all made further steps in their return to fitness.
Taking to Instagram, the 26-year-old posted: "I'm back," accompanied with a smiling emoji as Liverpool fans raved over his return. This Monday's Merseyside derby is likely to come too soon for Jota in his bid to return to the starting line-up.
However, ahead of a hectic end to the season, his return provides a timely boost for Klopp's selection plans as they look to salvage their Premier League campaign as well as eye Champions League success.
Previously the Liverpool boss had hinted that Jota, who has scored 34 goals in 93 appearances since his move from Wolves, could be in contention for the clash with Real Madrid.
"He is extremely smart football-wise, he will be back here again [in his mind] because it is like he is playing the games without playing the games," he said last month.
"I don't know exactly how long he will be out for, but he looks really good. He is out there on the pitch and doing a lot of stuff already but he will be out for another few weeks.
"Is he in contention for the Champions League? From my point of view, yes. But I don't know. Yes."
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