Luis Diaz returned to Liverpool training on Tuesday and is in contention to face Manchester City this weekend.
The Colombian has been sidelined for months due a knee injury he sustained in October and has been a big miss for the Reds. Diaz only arrived from Porto just over a year ago but made an instant impact at Anfield and is poised to return with the Merseysiders chasing the top four.
Jurgen Klopp's side have been inconsistent throughout the season and face missing out on the Champions League next term. Diaz's return to Kirby is more than timely and, despite the plan for him to be eased in slowly, he could feature in the heavyweight contest at the Etihad on Saturday.
The Times has reported that the winger was in training on Tuesday and finished the session without any issues having warmed up with the academy squad last week as he seeks to get back to match sharpness - which is still someway away.
Klopp could opt to name Diaz on the bench, a decision that will be made along with the Liverpool medical staff, for the lunchtime kick-off this weekend. It is by no means a guarantee of minutes for the 26-year-old, who has three goals in his eight appearances this term.
The Reds boss previously detailed the influence Diaz could have once he returns, given the quality he's already shown. He said: "When he’s back he will be really good and very impactful, of course. That's clear, [but] how quickly I don't know. We have to see, that’s the big challenge in these moments.
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"There’s no time for being patient but you have to be patient. So, we will see, but I am positive about him, that he has a good chance to have a real impact in like 10, 11 or 12 games maybe. Let's see how long it exactly takes."
Liverpool's attack has undergone a major rejig in recent years and Diaz is by no means guaranteed a start, even when he returns to full fitness. Klopp has signed a forward in each of his last three transfer windows with Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo all joining.
The latter of that trio have combined impressively recently alongside Mohamed Salah, notably in the 7-0 demolition of Manchester United several weeks ago. Diogo Jota is also an option, although he too has spent a prolonged time on the sidelines which has hampered his season.
