Ian Doyle provides injury update on 5 Liverpool players ahead of Premier League run-in

Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle has delivered injury updates on Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay and Joe Gomez as the Reds begin preparations for the Premier League run-in.

According to the report, as cited by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Diaz is expected to make his much-awaited return from a knee injury immediately after the international break, with the Colombian winger set to return to full team training next week. Joe Gomez is also fully fit now after returning to the bench in Liverpool's 1-0 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, which comes as a timely boost for Jurgen Klopp.

However, Liverpool are still sweating over the fitness of Thiago, who is no closer to returning after sustaining a hip injury last month. The Spanish midfielder seemed like he was on his way back to full fitness judging by his social media activity, but Ian Doyle has confirmed that the former Bayern Munich man is Liverpool's only long-term injury absentee at the moment.

Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic have been ruled out for the rest of the season due to long-term injuries and are expected to return for pre-season ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Liverpool have been knocked out of all cup competitions but still have something to play for this season as they aim to break into the Premier League top four. The Reds are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, although they've played two games fewer than the north London side. With a hard run of fixtures coming up, Luis Diaz's return could come as a timely boost for Klopp, with the Colombian international last featuring against Arsenal in late October.

Gomez's return would allow Klopp to name two fit senior central defenders on the bench, but Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are expected to lead the Liverpool rearguard after the international break due to the England international's questionable form since the turn of the year.