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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Liverpool injury latest and expected return dates as depleted Reds face Aston Villa

Jurgen Klopp is without many of his forward options as Liverpool return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The Reds travel to Villa Park seven points adrift of the top four with a game in hand, so victory is vital to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive. However, Unai Emery's side will be no pushover, having defeated Manchester United in their first game with the Spaniard in charge.

Complicating matters further is the fact Klopp's injury list is almost into double figures - the last thing he needs as the top flight gets back underway after the World Cup break. Here is the latest on Liverpool's sidelined players, including what their manager has said and expected return dates.

Luis Diaz

The bitterest of all the injury blows Liverpool are dealing with, Diaz will be out until March after suffering a setback to a knee issue sustained in October. "Luis is not available," Klopp said last week. "It's really sad it has happened, but he has the character to take the time to come back stronger."

Arthur

The Brazilian midfielder has hardly featured for the Reds since joining on loan from Juventus and will need to wait until February to make his mark. Arthur has suffered a thigh injury and Klopp does not expect him back in the near future.

Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota is one of Liverpool's many injured attacking players (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Another critical forward injury, Jota could return in early February as he rehabilitates from the calf complaint he sustained against Manchester City in October. "Diogo is inside the [initial] timeframe, we think," Klopp said.

Curtis Jones

The fixtures against Villa on Boxing Day and Leicester four days later will likely come too soon for Jones, but he could return to face Brentford on 2 January. "Curtis is one week away from team training," Klopp said on 21 December.

What is your scoreline prediction for Aston Villa versus Liverpool? Have your say in the comments!

Roberto Firmino

Roberto Firmino is contending with a "minor" calf issue (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Another forward in the treatment room, Firmino was unable to face Manchester City in the EFL Cup fourth round last Thursday. Klopp insisted the Brazilian's calf issue is "not major", so he should be ready to face the Bees in the new year.

James Milner

Another player who missed last week's 3-2 EFL Cup defeat, Milner has a minor thigh problem. "He will be out for a couple of games," Klopp said of the veteran midfielder.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been battling illness (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Unlike his aforementioned teammates on the sidelines, Alexander-Arnold could feature on Boxing Day after a bout of illness. "Let's see how that develops until tomorrow," Klopp said last Friday.

Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk, like Alexander-Arnold, has been contending with illness and missed out against City. However, he is likely to return in defence against Villa after training "completely normal" last Thursday.

Ibrahima Konate

Konate is not injured but he has been allowed to return to Liverpool late after reaching the World Cup final with France. He will miss the encounter with Villa but will rejoin training on Tuesday, so he is likely to feature against Leicester.

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