Liverpool handed massive injury boost ahead of Chelsea clash
Darwin Nunez is expected to be available for Liverpool's Premier League match against Chelsea on Saturday.
Nunez has missed the Reds' last two matches with a hamstring problem but returned to team training on Thursday.
The Uruguay international is now back to full fitness and in contention to start this weekend, Liverpool boss Jurge Klopp confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
When asked if Nunez is 'closer for selection', Klopp replied: "Yes."
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Successive league defeats away to Brentford and Brighton have left Jurgen Klopp's men ninth in the table, level on points with Graham Potter's Chelsea.
If Liverpool are unable to get three points, it would likely end their hopes of Champions League qualification, with the team from Merseyside currently 10 points off fourth placed Manchester United.
Klopp received a much needed boost on Tuesday, when his side secured progression in the FA Cup, beating Wolves 1-0 courtesy of a Harvey Elliott wonder goal.
Nunez hints at Chelsea start
Nunez took to social media earlier, posting a short montage video on twitter, which included the words 'Liverpool vs Chelsea' and 'game on', alongside images of himself.
— Darwin Núñez (@Darwinn99) January 20, 2023
The post has got fans excited after the Uruguayan's fast start in Merseyside. His energy levels has been praised by many, including Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
Speaking to Sky last month, the former Manchester United defender believed he could go to the very top, stating: “I'm 70 per cent that he's going to go on to become a top striker in this league and become one of the very best in the world.”
Reds suffer injury crisis
What's more, Liverpool need him more than ever. Injuries to Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota have left the Reds stretched in attack.
However, the arrival of Cody Gakpo, along with Elliott's recent form may give the Reds boss a minor headache when selecting his starting XI to face Chelsea.
Diaz recently hinted at a return to fitness, posting a training montage of himself performing a series of exercises. However, he is still expected to be unavailable until March.
Their injuries have paved the way for the likes of Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, both of whom could keep their place against the Blues.
Topics: Liverpool, Darwin Nunez, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League, Football, Chelsea, Graham Potter
Joe Adams