April 11, (THEWILL) – Liverpool received a significant boost this week, with the return of four key players to training ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Atalanta. However, manager Jurgen Klopp remains uncertain whether they will feature in the European tie.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, and Stefan Bajcetic are all close to full fitness, as Liverpool continue their pursuit of the English Premier League title. Klopp acknowledged that the club did not rush the recovery process for the players, stating that Trent and Jota have been training together for a couple of weeks and performed well in the most recent session.
“We will see how they go, but they are back in training, and we have to see how we use them,” Klopp told reporters. “Yes, we need them back, but we need them in the best possible shape and we need them in rhythm.”
Liverpool, who won the League Cup earlier this season, are level on 71 points with Arsenal atop the Premier League table, although they trail on goal difference. The Reds were left frustrated after a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, but midfielder Harvey Elliott insists the players have quickly moved on from the result.
“The good thing about football is we’ve got another game to focus on,” Elliott said, referring to the upcoming Europa League clash with Atalanta. The midfielder also expressed the team’s desire to win the Europa League for Klopp in his final season with the club, stating: “With the gaffer leaving at the end of the season, winning it would be the best possible way for that to end.”
Liverpool will travel to Atalanta, who are currently sixth in Italy’s Serie A, on April 18, before hosting Crystal Palace in the league on Sunday. Klopp is confident that the team’s ability to manage a packed schedule is not a concern, noting that it is a “pretty standard situation” for the club, with the focus being on meetings, analysis, and preparation rather than extensive training.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
