Liverpool receive major injury boost as key player set to make long-awaited return

Liverpool have been handed a huge injury boost with reports that star forward Diogo Jota has returned to full training as he continues to recover from a long-term injury.

The Portugal star suffered a serious calf injury in the closing stages of Liverpool's 1-0 win over Manchester City in October.

He was stretchered off the pitch, with Jurgen Klopp later confirming that he would miss the World Cup in Qatar.

The German boss did not put a timeframe on Jota's recovery, but stated that it would be 'long' when speaking to the club's official website.

The 25-year-old has now been out of action for nearly four months, and Liverpool have struggled to find the net recently in his absence.

The Reds did enter the transfer market in January - partially because of the Portugal's international's injury - to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV, although the left-sided forward is yet to hit top form at Anfield.

Having not won any of their last six games, Liverpool are in desperate need for some positive news on the availability front - and they have now got it.

Jota set to make Liverpool comeback

The Liverpool Echo has reported that Jota returned to full training on Wednesday ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday.

The forward has a decent record against the Toffees, scoring two goals in eight appearances across spells at Wolves and Liverpool, although it is claimed that next week's clash will come too early.

The news will come as a huge boost to Klopp and Liverpool, with the Reds having lacked attacking impetus in recent weeks.

Jota's return will ease some of the workload on Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, especially with Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz still yet to return from injury themselves.

Last week, however, Klopp did issue a positive update last week on the status of the duo, along with Virgil van Dijk, who suffered a thigh injury against Brentford on January 2.

He explained: "Bobby's getting closer obviously, very good. Luis is running now. They will take a few weeks still, but he's now out on the pitch running which is really good.

"Virgil is getting closer but not ready. Parts of training [this week] for Virgil."