Virgil van Dijk has excited Liverpool fans and Gary Lineker by posting a video on social media which shows him stepping up his return from injury.
Van Dijk has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Everton on October 17.
The 29-year-old centre-back underwent successful surgery in London last year but the club are understandably reluctant to put a timeframe on his return.
He was later pictured working with the club's coaches inside the gym in December, just five weeks after having surgery, and has also been undergoing rehabilitation in Dubai.
Van Dijk has since returned to training outside on the pitches in Kirkby as he works his way back to full fitness and the prospect of his return before the end of the campaign is exciting to Reds fans.
They are not the only ones interested in the Dutchman’s return, with Match of the Day presenter Lineker writing “The cavalry is on the way” after seeing the latest clip of Van Dijk training.
Liverpool have suffered a series of injuries to defenders this season, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip also sidelined with long-term injuries.
In their absence, Jurgen Klopp has been forced to field midfielders at centre-back, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both performing the role.
Young players Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have been drafted in, while the Reds also brought in Schalke’s Ozan Kabak and Preston’s Ben Davies in the January transfer window as cover.
Kabak has been a fixture in the side since his arrival on deadline day, but the Turkish international is himself a doubt for Sunday’s match against Fulham.
"Ozan after the game had a little problem," Klopp said on Friday. "He has played now a lot of games and we will see whether he is ready for Fulham.
"It doesn't look like it at the moment. We will have to find solutions."
