Liverpool were back in training yesterday as they prepare to face Atalanta in the Europa League.
After an intense few weeks in the Premier League, the Reds are back on the hunt for success in the only competition Jurgen Klopp is yet to win at the club.
The excitement of last night’s Champions League ties reminded us all of what we’re missing being out of this year’s tournament. However, Liverpool look set to return to the top table next season. As a result, we can enjoy the Europa League run a little more than we otherwise would.
And after what we saw at the AXA Training Centre yesterday, it feels like we’re about to enjoy it a whole lot more. Liverpool had exceptional news on Tuesday, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and – finally – Stefan Bajcetic back on the grass.
After a frustrating draw with Manchester United at the weekend, it was exactly what supporters needed. And it seems to have brought joy to the rest of the Liverpool squad, too.
Luis Diaz delighted by Liverpool training
If you ask any Liverpool fan which of the returning quartet they’ve missed the most, they’d all probably have a different answer.
You’d imagine it would have been Alisson, really. But Caoimhin Kelleher has done an absolutely terrific job in his absence. He’s kept the gloves warm and then some.
In terms of Alexander-Arnold too, the Reds have obviously missed him hugely. However, Conor Bradley has stepped in and shown exactly why he’s so highly rated. Bajcetic is obviously someone we’d loved to have seen more of. The 19-year-old is still so young though, and Liverpool’s midfield is well covered.
So, for us, there’s one man we’ve missed above all the others: Jota. As the draw with United once again showed, the Reds have been desperate for the 27-year-old’s clinical finishing. We need him back.
Someone who seemingly agrees with that is Luis Diaz. After Jota took to Instagram following training yesterday to post “Back” with a huge grinning emoji, Liverpool’s No.7 was down in the comments. Leaving a ‘hearts in eyes’ emoji by way of reply, it’s obvious that Lucho was thrilled to see his attacking teammate return to the fold. Us too, Lucho. Us too.
When will Diogo Jota be ready to play
Despite the joy of seeing Liverpool’s injured players return, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be thrown straight into the action.
Coming just two days after they were back out on the grass, it seems desperately unlikely that any of the four will be involved against Atalanta on Thursday. You never know, but it feels to have come too soon.
Instead, Jota and co will perhaps have more of an eye on Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace at Anfield. You’d imagine that one or two will make the bench at least.
Beyond that, it would seem pretty certain that by next Thursday’s return leg in Italy, Liverpool will have all four available for selection. What a relief. All together now everybody – Oh, he wears the number 20!