Liverpool handed triple injury boost ahead of Inter Milan showdown at Anfield

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15/01/2023
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Jurgen Klopp hopes to have a full squad at his disposal as Liverpool host Inter Milan for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

The Reds welcome the Italian giants to Anfield on Tuesday night having won the first leg 2-0 thanks to late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Firmino, 30, has not featured since the victory at San Siro with a muscle complaint and has since been joined in the treatment room by Thiago and Joel Matip.

Thiago, 30, suffered a hamstring injury while warming up for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea while Matip, 30, missed Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham due to illness.

In a welcome boost for the Reds, Klopp confirmed all three players have returned to full training and could feature in some capacity against Inter.

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"They all trained yesterday - full training," the German said of Firmino, Thiago and Matip on Monday. "I'm not sure yet what we make of that exactly to be honest as we have to see how they react today.

Liverpool handed triple injury boost ahead of Inter Milan showdown at Anfield

"Thiago was only a week out, so probably would be fine but I have to wait for it. Joel was only three or four days so he is fine, I would say."

While Klopp seemed to suggest Thiago and Matip could start the second leg, he appeared more cautious about Firmino given the Brazilian has been sidelined for the three weeks.

The Liverpool manager added: "Bobby was longer out, [Sunday] was the first session so we have to see. It makes probably sense to give him just a few more days with proper training.

"Today we don't train properly - it's a minus-one session, it's tactical stuff, not high intensity and Bobby might need something else. But they are all in training."

In Firmino's absence, Luis Diaz has shone in the Liverpool attack and the Colombian winger could make his full European debut for the Reds in the second leg.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate excelled in place of Matip and helped keep a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over West Ham.

Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho impressed as the starting midfield trio against the Irons, so it remains to be seen whether Klopp will make changes for the visit of Inter.

Should Firmino, Thiago and Matip return to the fold in time for the mouth-watering fixture, it will mean Liverpool have a clean bill of health - something which stands them in good stead ahead of the season's busy run-in.