Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Roberto Firmino will miss Liverpool's Champions League second leg with Villarreal on Tuesday.
But the Reds boss says the Brazilian will fly with the team to Spain, hinting that he could return for the weekend's game with Tottenham at Anfield.
Firmino has not played since featuring as a late substitute in the 3-2 win over Manchester City in mid-April and has been hampered by a foot injury of late, sitting out the last four games.
That run will extend to five as the Reds go in search of a third final appearance in four years at Villarreal, but Klopp is hopeful that No.9 is nearing his return after returning to light training duties.
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"Bobby is now running, so it is all good. It is very painful, he has a little pain on the bone in the middle of the foot. It is very painful, but he is running. He will travel with us, but he will not be involved in the squad yet.
"We hope [he is back] sooner rather than later. We had issues with stomach bugs too and they are all back. Villarreal will go with all they have that is absolutely clear, from the things Unai Emery said after the game."
Liverpool head to El Madrigal with a 2-0 win from the first leg at Anfield last week and know that avoiding defeat will see them into the final where they will meet either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Klopp added: "The way they set up in La Liga, eight players they changed in the beginning (in their last game) and the two they started, they came off after 45 minutes. It will be tough but that is fine, the Champions League semi-final should be tough. We don't expect it to be easy, but we played a good game at home.
"Whatever would be around [the season], whether it is good or bad, a Champions League semi-final is the second most important game you can play after the final. Whatever would have happened in the last few weeks, you never know if you will reach a semi-final again.
"We have an exceptional team here but you need luck in these moments so you better treat it carefully and be ready. We want to be ready and go to the final but if Villarreal is better than us and goes to the final then congratulations."
