Liverpool midfielders Ovie Ejaria and Adam Lallana have both made progress as they work to recover from injury before the end of the season.
After a day off on Tuesday, the Reds returned to Melwood on Wednesday afternoon as Jurgen Klopp oversaw preparations for the weekend’s home clash with Crystal Palace.
Having secured a vital 1-0 victory away to West Brom last time out, extending their unbeaten run to seven games, Liverpool will be eager to keep up their excellent form for their run-in.
And with just five games left to play, Klopp’s squad look set to be boosted by the imminent return of two midfielders in Ejaria and Lallana.
Ejaria has missed the last 11 fixtures after picking up an ankle injury in January’s 2-1 loss to Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round, but joined the squad for indoor work.
Meanwhile, the thigh injury Lallana suffered on England duty in March is on the mend, as the 28-year-old confirmed on Instagram.
Lallana told his 1,000,000 followers that it was “time to step it up,” lacing up his boots next to the training pitch at Melwood.
He was not pictured alongside the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi, however, and it is highly unlikely he will be fit to feature against Palace.
Klopp has already revealed that Lallana is targeting his comeback away to Watford on May 1, having sat out of the last four games.
Jordan Henderson (foot) and Sadio Mane (knee) are Liverpool’s only other major injury concerns, with peripheral figures Adam Bogdan (ACL) and Danny Ings (knee) ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Reds are still hopeful that Henderson can return before the end of the campaign, but Mane’s knee surgery has sidelined him until pre-season.
As ever, a clutch of youngsters joined Klopp’s squad for training on Wednesday, with Kamil Grabara, Connor Randall, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Harry Wilson, Sheyi Ojo and Ben Woodburn all taking part.
After Palace and Watford, Liverpool’s final three games of the season come against Southampton (May 7), West Ham (May 14) and Middlesbrough (May 21).
With the return of Lallana in particular, Klopp will be confident the Reds can end the season on form and secure their place in next season’s Champions League.
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