Liverpool handed massive boost ahead of UCL clash as key star with 6G/A returns to training | OneFootball

Liverpool have been handed a massive injury boost ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with La Liga side Girona at Estadi Montilivi as Diogo Jota returns to first-team training.

The 28-year-old has been grappling with a rib injury he picked up half an hour into the 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield back in October.

Jota has been absent for the subsequent ten games across all competitions, but his absence hasn’t caused any damage to Liverpool’s title ambitions, with the Reds going unbeaten in that run.

Arne Slot’s fearsome attacking trio – led by the ever-reliable Mohamed Salah – has been firing on all cylinders this season, and Jota’s return to the fold will strengthen his options in the coming weeks.

Jota has been one of Slot’s most trusted lieutenants in the final third this season, returning four goals and two assists in ten games across all competitions.

It remains to be seen if he’ll be passed fit enough to start Tuesday’s Champions League clash, but he could get some minutes off the bench to get his juices flowing.

In addition to Jota’s return to the fold, Liverpool have also been boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who has missed the last 11 games in all competitions with a hamstring problem.

The injury-prone shot-stopper was initially expected to be out for six weeks, but his recovery period took a bit longer.

He’s expected to be named in the squad against Girona, but it will be surprising if the ever-reliable Caoimhin Kelleher doesn’t retain his spot in the XI on Tuesday.

Kelleher, who has been angling for a move away from Liverpool in search of regular first-team football, has deputised admirably for Alisson, but it’s only a matter of time before the Brazilian reclaims his spot between the sticks.

Liverpool will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the new Champions League era at the expense of the La Liga strugglers, who have lost four of their five European fixtures thus far (W1).

Stats from Transfermarkt.com