Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are closing on a Liverpool return - but Jurgen Klopp will once again be without five players for the Merseyside derby at Everton.
Gomez has been sidelined for almost a month with a calf problem while Keita hasn't been seen since limping out of the 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on October 30 with a hamstring complaint.
Klopp, though, is hopeful the duo will be back in team training next week to bolster his options with Liverpool in the midst of a hectic schedule between now and the New Year.
“The boys are getting closer, especially Joe and Naby, who are not too far from team training," said the Reds boss, who reported no new injury concerns after Saturday's 4-0 win over Southampton.
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"Joe is in a really good moment. He is doing really well, he is doing a lot of stuff outside, so hopefully next week he can be in training.
“I hope the same for Naby, pretty much – that he will be in training next week as well."
Should they meet the timescale, Gomez and Keita could come into contention for the home Premier League game against Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa on Saturday week.
Liverpool are waiting for Curtis Jones to be given the all clear to resume training having suffered a freak eye injury during training earlier this month.
“I think once every two weeks they always make another examination," said Klopp on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's Premier League match at Everton.
"Curtis is completely fine, but we have to be careful with it and so we cannot rush it. I think the next test is tomorrow and then we will know more.
"If you ask Curtis he could run a marathon, but it's not allowed at the moment. We have to wait until the doctor gives us a green light."
With Harvey Elliott continuing his rehabilitation from a serious ankle injury, Roberto Firmino remains a few weeks away from a return as he recovers from a hamstring issue suffered against Atletico Madrid on November 3.
"Bobby probably has another week to do more football stuff," added Klopp.
"Bobby is good but he is still a couple of weeks away from being fully back, but he is doing pretty much everything just with the extent of the injury we have to be careful, but it’s all fine.”
