Thiago Alcantara has handed Liverpool a major injury boost by returning to full training ahead of their Champions League group opener.
The Spaniard has been absent since suffering a hamstring strain six minutes after half-time in the Premier League clash at promoted Fulham on August 6.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp suggested last week the 31-year-old was "close" to a return and had been pencilled in to resume team training at the start of this week.
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And having been put through his paces at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, Thiago could now come into contention for a place in the matchday squad for the Champions League game at Napoli on Wednesday.
Thiago's return is particularly timely with Liverpool's midfield options having been limited further by skipper Jordan Henderson joining Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the sidelines with his own hamstring complaint, while Fabio Carvalho is a doubt for midweek after suffering a dead leg in the goalless draw at Everton on Saturday.
However, there are signs the overall injury issues are easing for Klopp, with Joel Matip having made a late cameo at Goodison after missing the previous four games with a groin problem and Diogo Jota doing likewise having been out since July after aggravating a hamstring injury.
Arthur Melo, signed last week on a season-long loan from Juventus, is another option in midfield having been an unused substitute at the weekend, while Curtis Jones was on the bench in the midweek win over Newcastle United.
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