Jurgen Klopp confirmed Takumi Minamino is likely to be involved against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.
The Liverpool boss commended the Japan international for the "big steps" he has made since arriving at Anfield in January last year.
Minamino made his debut for the Reds in the FA Cup third round in 2020 and played his most recent game in the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace last month.
That match at Selhurst Park was just the fourth start Minamino has been handed in the Premier League by Klopp - all of which have come away from home.
And since the game during which he turned in an impressive performance, the attacker has been an unused substitute in the Reds' last three matches - two draws against West Brom and Newcastle and a 1-0 defeat at Southampton.
"I don't think it was a very difficult year [for Minamino] - but I know what you mean in terms of coming into a new club and everyone thinking you should score 20, 30 or 40 goals," Klopp said.
"He's in really good shape and he has got used to the intensity, the league and training.
"He made big steps, in the last game he played was the 7-0 win against Palace and we haven't won since - so we should think about involving him obviously!"
