A trio of integral Liverpool players have reportedly returned to full training with the team ahead of Sunday's Premier League finale with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 4pm kickoff at Anfield will mark Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool swansong after a golden nine years at the Merseyside helm, as the German mans the Reds touchline for the final time.
There is little riding on the contests for Klopp's side, though, as they are guaranteed to finish third in the Premier League table, while Wolves are safely marooned in the middle of the pack.
A handful of long-term absentees are guaranteed to be unavailable for Klopp's farewell, including Joel Matip, Ben Doak and Bobby Clark, but the German has ostensibly been handed a triple boost for his farewell game.
According to injury expert Ben Dinnery, all of Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson and Thiago Alcantara were able to train with the team on Thursday after recovering from injuries of various afflictions.
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— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) May 16, 2024
Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson..... and Thiago Alcantara have been spotted training with the group ahead of Jurgen Klopp's final game.
Key trio 'spotted with team ahead of Wolves game'
Robertson was absent from Monday's 3-3 draw with Aston Villa due to an unspecified knock, but Klopp stressed after the game that the Scotsman had not sustained a serious issue and would be back in team training at some point in the week.
As such, the long-serving left-back is expected to be given the green light to face Wolves on Sunday, although Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are all alternative options on the left-hand side.
Meanwhile, Jota picked up a hip injury after scoring against Fulham on April 22 and has not been since, missing the Reds' last four Premier League matches owing to his latest fitness setback.
The Portugal international had already spent time on the sidelines with muscular and knee problems this season, but he was always expected to return to contention before the campaign drew to a close.
The 27-year-old - who is Liverpool's most clinical finisher in terms of big chances converted this season - has struck 15 goals in 32 matches during the 2023-24 campaign, but he has been restricted to four Premier League starts.
Thiago to enjoy on-field Anfield farewell?
© Reuters
However, the luckless Thiago has played just once for the Reds this term, having endured a gruelling 10-month recovery period with a hip problem before finally making his comeback against Arsenal on February 4.
The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich man was only on the Emirates pitch for five minutes, but he sustained another serious muscular problem in his brief cameo, and Klopp admitted at the time that he was not sure if Thiago would play again this term.
The Spaniard's return to training offers hope that he might be able to enjoy a playing farewell this weekend, as alongside Klopp, he is expected to depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Thiago's lack of action this season will work against him when it comes to a possible appearance this weekend, though, and Klopp should give the latest update in Friday's pre-game press conference.
Ben Knapton
