According to Football Insider, Liverpool are confident that Thiago Alcantara will be included in the squad to face Arsenal on Sunday
Prior to Tuesday’s game against Chelsea, the Spaniard had already returned to first-team training, but he was left out as Liverpool took a cautious approach to his recovery after a two-month absence.
However, if he avoids an unexpected setback in sessions at their Kirkby headquarters on Friday and Saturday, he is certain to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s selection for the Premier League leaders’ visit to Anfield, and could even be a surprise face in the starting XI.
Thiago last appeared for the Reds in early February, when they were beaten 3-0 at Molineux by relegation-threatened Wolves.
Since then, he’s been dealing with a hip flexor problem that has forced him to miss 10 consecutive games across all competitions.
Klopp was cautious about Thiago’s fitness on Friday, saying, “Thiago [is] training completely normal.”
“[He] wasn’t out for long, had three or four training sessions with the team, and might be available.”
“However, we need to see how he feels today.”
Behind the scenes, however, there is optimism that Thiago will be able to return against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Virgil van Dijk is also set to return when the Gunners travel to Merseyside, and is expected to slot straight back into the starting XI after recovering from illness.
However, this weekend’s game may come too soon for Luis Diaz, who is hoping to make a cameo appearance against Leeds United after recovering from a knee injury.
Arsenal is looking for their first Premier League victory over Liverpool at Anfield since 2012.
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