Liverpool have been handed a major boost ahead of their decisive Premier League clash this weekend with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk having returned to first-team training.
The pair suffered injuries in the Reds’ recent FA Cup final victory against Chelsea and have not appeared since. The Egyptian was substituted before the break at Wembley Stadium to be replaced by Diogo Jota.
Meanwhile, van Dijk suffered a knee problem during the game and he was taken off the pitch shortly before the 30-minute period of extra-time. Neither were risked in the recent 2-1 win over Southampton back in the Premier League but could make their respective returns just in time to continue the Reds’ push for an unprecedented quadruple.
Both were pictured taking a full part in first-team training ahead of this weekend’s showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers - a game that is key to the club’s title hopes. Should Manchester City drop points against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, then Liverpool would certainly be primed to take advantage.
They would certainly be in a better position to do that with both Salah and van Dijk back in contention. The Egyptian is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals to his name, whilst van Dijk is undoubtedly the Reds’ best centre-back.
Ahead of this weekend’s showdown with Wolves, manager Jurgen Klopp gave an optimistic update on the pair. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the German said: “With the other boys it looks all good. What we do with them for the weekend I have no idea.
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“I actually understand 100 per cent the goalscoring battle with Heung-min Son but we have no chance that we take any risks. But Mo doesn’t want to take any risks, there is no doubt about that.
“It looks good but the boys make steps and we will see. My preferred solution would be that they all could play at the weekend for rhythm reasons, stuff like this, or at least could be on the bench and then we can bring them on or not, but they are involved. But if not, then we take it from there. I cannot say 100 per cent.”
Klopp will certainly be hoping that the duo can come through the game with Wolves unscathed, with Liverpool’s season not yet finished. Regardless of whether the Reds claim their second Premier League title or not, they have yet another chance to claim more silverware with the upcoming Champions League final showdown with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Salah of course has previous against the La Liga side having been forced to withdraw in their previous meeting in the final following a challenge by Sergio Ramos. He has already signalled his desire for revenge against Real next week.
"I remember the last final against Real Madrid as if it was yesterday,” Salah said. “We are well prepared and hopefully we can take our revenge in the next final."
