Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided fans with some positive news, confirming Diogo Jota has returned to first team training after a spell on the sidelines.
Portugal forward Jota, who scored 21 times for the Reds in all competitions last season, has yet to feature this term after picking up a thigh injury. However, with the Merseyside derby on the horizon, Klopp has confirmed the former Wolves man is back in training and will "probably" be in the matchday squad to face Everton.
Liverpool will also welcome back Darwin Nunez for the trip to Goodison Park, with the Uruguay striker having served his three-match ban for the red card picked up against Crystal Palace. However, there is some bad news in midfield with the Reds missing a number of men for Saturday's game.
"Diogo will probably be in as well [as Nunez]," Klopp said. "He trained yesterday for the first time and will today.
“I have to make a decision, does it make sense that we involve him already or not? But if, it is the first time we have five attackers – sounds like Christmas!”
Jordan Henderson will not be involved, though, and nor will Naby Keita. Klopp said captain Henderson was "definitely out" for the derby, with the extent of his injury yet to be determined, while explaining Keita "will be out for a while" with a muscle injury.
Arthur Melo was signed on loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day, and there had been hope from some that the Brazilian could make his debut at Goodison Park, but this now looks unlikely. "My information is it won't happen until tomorrow, international clearance," Klopp said.
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Klopp said he was "really happy" about the new arrival. Liverpool had been forced into action in the transfer market due to injuries, but the manager had been insistent he needed any signing to be the right fit.
"We talked a lot and our ideas and visions were a good fit so I think, no, I’m sure, that it was the right choice," Arthur said in his first interview as a Liverpool player. "I’m really happy and highly motivated to continue living my dream on the pitch and giving my all in a Liverpool shirt."
The former Barcelona man now looks more likely to make his bow on Wednesday, when Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign away at Napoli. The Reds will want to go into that game off the back of a third straight win, though, and victory at Goodison Park would also make it three derby wins in succession after a home and away league double last season.
