Liverpool star returns against Everton after months out, this could save Klopp's season

Diogo Jota has returned to Liverpool’s matchday squad against Everton after months out injured.

Liverpool take on Sean Dyche’s Everton at Anfield hoping to return to form in a crucial Merseyside Derby for both sides.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently languishing in tenth, some 12 points adrift of the Champions League spots, having not won a Premier League game in 2023. Indeed, in their past four games alone the Reds have picked up just one point, scored two goals and conceded nine.

Meanwhile, Everton kick-off the derby in the relegation zone, despite claiming an unlikely 1-0 win against league leaders Arsenal in their last outing.

Liverpool fans will be encouraged by some positive team news before kick-off, however.

Jota returns for Liverpool

Jota has been named on the Liverpool bench after recovering from a calf injury sustained back in October when the Reds took on Manchester City at Anfield.

The Portugal star only recently resumed training after being sidelined four months ago.

Jota coming into the fold will be a huge boost for the Reds, with fellow forward Cody Gakpo having failed to find the net in his first six appearances for Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez has blown hot and cold since moving from Benfica last summer. While the Uruguay international has claimed a respectable 10 Liverpool goals so far, his erratic finishing has been ridiculed by swathes of the Liverpool fan base.

Elsewhere, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson return to the Reds' midfield to play alongside Stefan Bajcetic.

Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk are also fit enough to be on the bench, which will come as a massive relief to the Liverpool boss.

Thiago Alcantara is a conspicuous absentee, with the Spanish international having been ruled out with a hip problem.

Though the length of Thiago's absence is dependent on how long the injury takes to settle down, the problem comes prior to the Reds' crucial games against Everton, Newcastle United on Saturday and Real Madrid.

On the matter Klopp said: “Yeah, Thiago has some problems. I know the problems, but I have to ask the medical department what I am allowed to say about it. Hip flexor, stuff like this, that’s it pretty much. He wasn’t able to train.”

Topics: Football, Diogo Jota, Liverpool, Everton, Jurgen Klopp, Sean Dyche, Injury

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.