Liverpool star Luis Diaz returns to first-team training after FIVE months with a knee injury… giving Jurgen Klopp’s side a huge boost in their race to qualify for next season’s Champions League

Liverpool star Luis Diaz returns to first-team training after FIVE months with a knee injury… giving Jurgen Klopp’s side a huge boost in their race to qualify for next season’s Champions League

Luis Diaz is about to give Liverpool a huge boost ahead of the crucial week by returning to first-team training.

The Colombian international has not played since suffering a 3-2 knee injury against Arsenal last October. He was due to be sidelined for three months, but during a winter training camp in Dubai, he suffered a replay and was ruled out for another 14 weeks.

Liverpool have lost Diaz, who was a revelation last season following his £50m transfer from FC Porto: his arrival was the catalyst for a sustained period of superb form which took the team close to the quadruple

Jurgen Klopp has done everything he can to bring the 26-year-old back into the squad and has been keeping a close eye on his progress over the past month, but the Liverpool manager is determined not to ask too much of Diaz too soon. However, Diaz cleared a significant hurdle last week when he attended sessions with the academy players and as there were no side effects he is eligible to join the Kirkby first team. .

Diaz suffered a knee injury against Arsenal in October and although he was only expected to miss three months, he suffered a repeat of the same injury during a winter training camp.

Jurgen Klopp has followed Diaz’s progress without wanting to push him away too soon

His return couldn’t be better timed as Liverpool face a series of crucial games immediately after the international break, starting with a trip to Manchester City on Saturday – it could be possible for Diaz to be on the bench – ahead of those against Chelsea and then play against Arsenal.

Klopp knows the order of matches will determine whether Liverpool have a chance of finishing in the top four and last month expressed his belief that Diaz would have a say in Liverpool’s fortunes.

“It’s a different situation from last season,” Klopp said. “He came here after playing pretty much every game for Porto and now he’s injured for the second time. “I can tell you about the two sessions he had with us in Dubai, he was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s good!’

Then he got injured again. When he comes back, obviously he’s going to be very good and make a big impression. This is obvious.

Diaz’s return will give Klopp’s squad a huge boost as they look to climb into the top four

Liverpool have lost Diaz, who was a revelation following his £50m transfer from Porto last year.

How fast I don’t know. We must see. This is the great challenge in these moments. There is no time to be patient, but you have to be patient.

“I’m sure he has a good chance of making a real impact in maybe 10, 11, 12 games.

“We’ll see exactly how long it takes. It is estimated that he could warm up with the squad next week and then maybe train as a squad a week later. That would be cool.’