Liverpool ’s wretched luck with injuries from last season has carried over into this campaign as Jurgen Klopp was left without nine first teamers for last weekend’s victory over Arsenal.
However, four of those casualties returned in the midweek win against Porto in the Champions League, as Klopp’s squads began to piece itself back together again.
There are currently five players struggling with injuries ahead of this Saturday’s game against Southampton at Anfield, but there is hope that at least one more will return to the matchday squad.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at Anfield and the potential return dates for missing players.
Have Liverpool proved that they have enough squad depth to cope with injuries this season? Have your say in the comments section.
Naby Keita
Midfielder Naby Keita has been missing since suffering a hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw with Brighton at the end of October although it is anticipated that he is near full recovery.
The Mali international could make a potential return against Southampton on Saturday, with him being back in training this week - although he was left out of Wednesday’s match day squad against Porto.
Should Keita be fit enough to make a return this weekend, it would be a major boost to the midfield for Jurgen Klopp.
Joe Gomez
Unfortunately for Liverpool and Joe Gomez, the visit of Southampton will come too early for the young defender and it is expected that he will remain out until next weekend.
Gomez has been suffering from a calf injury at the end of last month and there was no initial time frame for his return, but there is hope it could be sooner rather than later.
Last week, Jurgen Klopp said: "He is in a good way. It was clear he will need a few weeks and that's still [the case], the rehab is not finished. But in a good place."
Roberto Firmino
Brazillian forward Roberto Firmino continues to be a big miss for Liverpool as he recovers from a thigh injury that he sustained during a brief cameo against Atletico Madrid at Anfield earlier this month.
As things stand, Firmino still isn't expected back until mid-December and will therefore miss the Southampton game on Saturday, although Klopp has revealed that he is recovering well.
He said: "Bobby [is] getting closer but not for the weekend. We'll see, that will take a little bit longer still."
Curtis Jones
There remains to be an update on when Curtis Jones will recover from a freak eye injury he received in training before November’s international break.
But it is predicted that an extra week or two may be needed in order to let it heal naturally.
Klopp said: “He is good, he is just not allowed to do a lot of things in the moment, we have to wait until the doctors give us a green light.”
Harvey Elliot
After suffering a fractured ankle in a horror injury against Leeds back in September, youngster Harvey Elliot has undergone surgery and a long recovery process to get back to full fitness.
And it is thought that Elliot is making good progress, although a return date of next year is still expected, and has even been back out training individually at the Liverpool training centre.
Klopp recently said: “He's great, Harvey's great. I have no idea when exactly it'll be, but we can't wait actually. It looks really good."
