Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Thiago Alcântara update

With Liverpool now out of the Europa League, we know there are just six games remaining this season. That means just six more games before Jürgen Klopp departs as manager.

Another remarkable European comeback looked to be on the cards against Atalanta on Thursday when Mohamed Salah scored from the spot after just seven minutes in Bergamo. Yet again though, the Reds failed to make the most of their chances in the first half, before a lackluster second period saw their Europa League hopes come to an end.

The 3-1 defeat on aggregate leaves just the Premier League to fight for now, but the title is no longer in Liverpool’s hands. Slip-ups from Manchester City and Arsenal are needed, and Klopp’s side will likely need a perfect record between now and the end of the season if it is to claim another trophy before the German’s departure.

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The good news is Klopp’s squad is in perhaps its best standing for much of the season. With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and Curtis Jones all making their returns recently, there are just four players now in the Anfield treatment room — here’s the latest on the injury front ahead of Sunday’s game against Fulham.

Conor Bradley

Conor Bradley became the latest player to pick up an injury this season when he was forced off against Crystal Palace with an ankle injury. Fortunately, it seems he will be able to make a return before the end of the season.

The 20-year-old didn’t travel to Bergamo after undergoing a scan on Monday, but Jürgen Klopp revealed the injury wasn’t as bad as first feared. "I think Ryan Gravenberch had a similar thing, so first week of May he [Bradley] should be back in training. When is that? Two weeks' time,” Klopp said.

Possible return date: Tottenham on May 5 or Aston Villa on May 13.

Ben Doak

We haven’t seen Ben Doak for some time. The 18-year-old looked set to play a big part this season after being given a number of opportunities early in the season.

Doak though underwent surgery on a knee issue in December, effectively bringing his season to a premature end, at least with the first team. It would be a huge surprise to see him feature for the senior side again before the end of the campaign, although he did post a picture of himself at the club’s training ground last week, suggesting he’s well on the road to recovery.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Joël Matip and Thiago Alcântara

Chances are high that we’ve already seen Joël Matip and Thiago Alcântara’s final games for Liverpool. The former has been out since suffering an ACL injury against Fulham in December, while the latter has been missing since making a cameo against Arsenal in February.

Matip has been back at the AXA Training Centre recently as he steps up his recovery, although Klopp admitted the season would likely be over too soon for the defender. With both players’ contracts expiring in the summer, it seems very likely both will be on the move at the end of the season.

In fact, Spanish publication Relevo has suggested that Thiago has returned to his homeland to work with a personal physio. That is likely in an effort to be fit for pre-season, probably with a new club.

Possible return date: Pre-season.