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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Liverpool have four reasons to be optimistic with key month set to define season

The mood is high at Liverpool and with good reason.

Luis Diaz’s arrival towards the end of the transfer window has injected an excitement amongst the Anfield faithful.

Liverpool’s new boy arrived on Merseyside late on Friday and could even feature on Sunday against Cardiff City in the FA Cup.

And his appearance isn't the only thing to be excited about.

Another player who is certain to get a rousing reception is the returning Harvey Elliott, who is expected to play his first minutes in five months since breaking his ankle.

And with a Wembley final on the horizon, for the first time in almost four decades, the Reds are in with a shout of lifting all four major trophies in early February.

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Diaz will most likely not be thrust straight into Klopp ’s starting XI as Sadio Mane is due to return for Liverpool’s next Premier League match on Thursday against Leicester.

But, the Colombian is a glimpse at what is to come for Liverpool. The tricky wide man offers an attacking threat that the Reds lack in competition for Mane.

At 25 years old, Diaz is expected to take the place of Mane in the team eventually, but for now, the Colombian’s arrival may catapult the Senegal international back to his best form.

With a hectic schedule approaching, quality options are needed - this is how Manchester City have dominated the Premier League in recent years.

Another reason for optimism is the return of key players to the Liverpool first team. Elliott is one such player. Another is Thiago Alcantara.

The former Bayern Munich man has been in great form this season, but availability has been an issue.

After seven weeks on the sidelines, the Spaniard is back and hopefully for the remainder of Liverpool’s season as they go in search of trophies. His availability could be the difference.

Speaking of trophies, Liverpool have the small matter of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley at the end of February.

And to make this month even more important, the Champions League restarts as the Reds take a trip to the San Siro to take on Inter Milan.

Liverpool are among the favourites to win their seventh European crown and with good reason.

The Reds have a great record in the competition under Klopp and European nights at Anfield are unrivalled - no one will want to face Liverpool.

A Premier League title win is not out of the question for Liverpool, but it will be difficult and everyone knows that. City hold a nine point lead at the top of the table and it will come as a shock if they let that slip.

But it would be foolish to completely dismiss a resurgent Liverpool.

The Reds return to action on Sunday with a chance in the fifth round of the FA Cup up for grabs.

A domestic cup win is what Klopp is missing off his Liverpool CV, so why not correct that this season? And then after that, who knows what is possible?

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