Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Darwin Núñez and Dominik Szoboszlai have returned to training and will be in contention for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
For Wednesday’s FA Cup clash with Southampton at Anfield, Liverpool were without 13 members of the first team squad. They are in dire need of reinforcements and there is a feeling that relying on the overachieving youth players for results is not sustainable.
Klopp confirmed today that Núñez, Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Andrew Robertson are all set to train, but Mohamed Salah will not be available.
“Wataru and Robbo didn’t [train], but the plan is they join in today. It’s the idea, but we have to see if it works out,” Klopp said.
“I don’t think Mo’s too far off, but he will not reach tomorrow, and from there we have to go. Like with the other two, touch and go and that stays with Mo, unfortunately, a bit longer.
“I think next week, at any point, it’s possible [he returns]. He’s on the way back definitely, but not there yet.”
Salah returned for the away trip to Brentford in mid-February but agitated his injury and has been sidelined since.
With Jayden Danns deputising up front so brilliantly following his fine brace off the bench against Southampton, Klopp may take another chance on the 18-year-old but will have comfort knowing that Nunez is available, and Salah will most likely be back next week.
The same can be said for Szoboszlai. Bobby Clark has exceeded expectations in his position, but Klopp will be relieved that he has options to choose from again.
Players returning is a positive, but Klopp now knows that the youth players who have filled in over the last three weeks are more than capable of playing their part for the rest of the season.
