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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Luis Diaz close to Liverpool return as Alisson Becker training absence explained

Luis Diaz remains on course to end his six-month absence from the Liverpool squad after coming through Wednesday's training session.

Klopp put his players through their paces after they were given Monday and Tuesday off following a busy week of action where they travelled to Manchester City and Chelsea before the thrilling Easter Sunday draw with table-topping Arsenal and Diaz was part of the pack at the Kirkby complex.

The Colombia international has not played for the Reds since suffering a knee injury in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in early October and was forced to undergo surgery having broken down on the club's mid-season trip to Dubai in December as he closed in on a comeback.

Diaz, who joined from Porto in January 2022 for a fee that could rise to £50m, has been back in training for the last fortnight or so but has so far not been used as part of a match-day squad by manager Klopp.

Liverpool have been keen not to rush the recovery of the winger but having sat out the last three matches against City, Chelsea and Arsenal - a three-game sequence that saw Klopp's men pick up just two points - Diaz is now ready to make his long-awaited return.

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He was able to take part in a full session at the club's AXA Training Centre and is now ready to hand Klopp a significant injury boost as Liverpool look to end a difficult season on a high for their final nine matches.

The South American has been limited to just eight Premier League appearances this term but will be desperate to ensure he at least ends a troubling term strongly from a personal perspective ahead of a big summer at Anfield.

Naby Keita was not pictured during the session as his injury absence appears to go on. The Guinea international has missed five of the last six matches and has not played a minute since being withdrawn at the half-way point of the goalless draw with Crystal Palace on February 25.

With the No.8 coming towards the end of his five-year deal at Anfield, his Liverpool career appears to be winding down quietly as he gets set to leave as a free agent this summer.

Thiago Alcantara was at least cleared to take part having made his own return as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday after over two months on the sidelines.

Neither Alisson Becker or James Milner were pictured as part of the group, although there is no suggestion either are injured at this stage. Klopp will deliver the latest on his team's fitness concerns when he addresses the media on Friday morning.

Liverpool return to action when they are hosted by Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night. The Reds could trail Manchester United in fourth by as many as 15 points by then as Erik ten Hag's men get set to travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon, while Newcastle, who are also a dozen points clear of Klopp's side travel to in-form Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.

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