Liverpool welcome back long-term absentee to training

Good news for Liverpool with Nathaniel Clyne returning to training this week ahead of the Champions League clash with Porto.

Jurgen Klopp saw a welcome face on the training ground today with Nathaniel Clyne returning to prepare with the squad for the first time this season. The England international has not featured for the Reds this season after sustaining a hamstring injury in pre-season.

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That problem was compounded by a back issue that required surgery in November. There was much speculation about the true nature if his injuries after the club were very reluctant to divulge details. That all seems to be behind us now as the player is back in training.

It will take a few more weeks for him to be ready for first team action after such a long time out. And even then they will take a careful approach to his reintroduction to the team. He has however made the trip to Portugal and will be included on the warm weather midseason break next week.

Clyne has been a fixture in the Liverpool side since Klopp arrived. He was one of the few players last season to never be rotated and was expected to be the first choice right back this year too. In his stead Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been playing the position.

With only 13 definite games left this season it remains to be seen whether we will see more than just cameo appearances from Clyne. He will give Klopp the flexibility to use Gomez and Alexander-Arnold in different roles.

Gomez looks a more natural center back and Clyne’s return could free him up to be used centrally. He shone for England in the position earlier in the season.

Next: This is the back four we want against Porto

Alexander-Arnold had not played right back until this year. He could be utilized either on the wing or even in central midfield as the season winds down