Just a month ago, many supporters of Liverpool FC had growing concerns over the team’s COVID-19, injury, and overall lack of depth. Today, the club is in the exact opposite situation before their Premier League match against at home against Leicester City this Thursday. With the AFCON tournament in the rearview mirror, it is looking promising that Mo Salah will be in action.
"He's back!" 😁
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2022
Welcome back, @MoSalah 👋 pic.twitter.com/xMyh4SNtKi
On the other hand, Sadio Mane is still enjoying his country’s championship celebration in Senegal. With those two and Naby Keita in tow, the Reds are gaining back three more players.
The following three players have resumed team training for Liverpool.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Midfield
This past weekend, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the FA Cup Cardiff City match to COVID-19 protocols. While not in the starting XI, he has provided LFC with some positive play throughout the season. With midfield counterparts like Jordan Henderson and James Milner struggling, he offered some form of relief when the likes of Keita were missing due to AFCON.
Divock Origi, Forward
Divock Origi has not been in action since the Reds’ Champions League match against Milan in early December. He could have been a difference-maker in a stretch where the team was desperate for offense at times. However, he is back and may appear in the coming weeks. As of now, he has only participated in just three Premier League matches this season.
Joe Gomez, Defender
Joe Gomez missed the most recent FA Cup match due to COVID-19 protocols like Oxlade-Chamberlain. Like Origi, he has been sparingly used due to a combination of injury and substantial depth at the CB position. However, his return gives Jürgen Klopp plenty of options.
Klopp will have many tough but good decisions to make.
As alluded to earlier, there was a time within the past month when it was uncertain Liverpool could even field a full roster. Now, Klopp has a full arsenal of talent to choose from moving forward, and it will not be easy. However, he is reflecting on the situation with a positive outlook.
Now, the task is dealing with a Leicester side, which has given LFC plenty of grief this season. Now, the Reds have plenty of options to deal with the Foxes on Thursday.