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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Liverpool injury update: Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara latest news and return dates

Liverpool are set for a fresh fitness boost ahead of their trip to Arsenal.

Virgil van Dijk was a surprise absentee for the midweek draw at Chelsea after suffering from illness.

But Jurgen Klopp has provided a positive update on the Dutchman’s condition as well as the injury latest on Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara.

Naby Keita is another absentee as the Reds’ next Premier League game approaches, with Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic out long-term.

Here is your latest update of Liverpool injuries and return dates...

Virgil van Dijk

Reports suggest illness was the reason for Van Dijk’s absence against Chelsea, as Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate lined up in defence for the 0-0 draw.

Klopp spoke afterwards to confirm: “I think he will be ready for the weekend.”

If the Arsenal game does come too soon for the centre-back, it appears near enough certain that he’ll be fit to face Leeds eight days later on Monday, April 17.

Luis Diaz

It would be a surprise to see Diaz return to face Arsenal having not played since October due to a knee injury, which suffered a major setback over the World Cup break.

Currently being reintegrated into a full-time return to training, the Colombian is most likely looking at the Leeds trip for his playing comeback.

Klopp said earlier this week: “I wouldn’t say Arsenal is completely out of the picture, but it’s rather unlikely. But after that, Luis will be back.”

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Thiago Alcantara

A hip injury has kept Thiago out since early February but he returned to first-team training on the weekend.

Klopp has suggested that Sunday’s visit to the capital is on the cards for his return, depending on how the midfielder “reacts” to putting more pressure on his hip.

Naby Keita

The Liverpool manager cast a downbeat assessment of Keita’s condition after he returned from Guinea duty over the recent interntional break with a muscle injury.

Suggesting the player may never appear in a Reds shirt again, with his contract up in the summer, Klopp said: “We will see how long it takes, but obviously, the season is not too long anymore. There is a chance that Naby comes back, but we have to wait a little bit.”

(Getty Images)

Stefan Bajcetic

Earlier this month, it was confirmed Bajcetic’s season was over after he picked up a “stress”-related injury to his thigh.

The young midfielder posted online: “It’s very sad to say goodbye to this amazing season for me but I understand this is part of football and will only make me stronger physically and mentally.”

Calvin Ramsay

Summer signing Ramsay’s season is also finished after he underwent surgery on a knee issue in February.

It drew to an early end a difficult first year at Anfield for the 19-year-old, who has only played twice for Liverpool since a £6.5million move from Aberdeen.

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