Liverpool receive huge injury boost ahead of Premier League title race run-in with Man City and Arsenal Jurgen Klopp welcome back four players from injury vs Nottingham Forest…

Liverpool may see the return of four players from injury as they prepare to take on Nottingham Forest.

A depleted Liverpool squad, missing 14 players due to injuries and illness, managed to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals with the help of their young talents. The team’s unbeaten streak at Anfield extended to 29 games across all competitions after defeating Southampton 3-0, with goals from 18-year-olds Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns.

With a positive atmosphere surrounding the team, Liverpool will head into their upcoming Premier League match against Nottingham Forest this weekend. Last season, they suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss at the City Ground to a team that was at the bottom of the table at the time.

In October, Liverpool secured a convincing 3-0 victory against the same opponents who are currently facing relegation threats. With this upcoming match, the Reds are optimistic about securing another three points. A win would also allow them to extend their lead over Manchester City by four points, as City prepares to face Manchester United in their derby at the Etihad on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Wataru Endo was unable to participate in the match due to a “proper knock” he sustained during the Carabao Cup final. However, Liverpool remains hopeful that the Japanese midfielder will recover in time to play against Forest.

In their recent match against Southampton, Liverpool made some interesting midfield selections, with James McConnell and Bobby Clark both being named in the starting lineup. Additionally, Joe Gomez took on an unusual role as the No. 6. This lineup adjustment was necessary due to the absence of several key players, including Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic.

Alexis Mac Allister was not in the starting lineup but did get some playing time off the bench for half an hour. He is expected to be joined by Endo and the tireless Elliott in Nottingham. Jurgen Klopp is looking forward to having Dominik Szoboszlai available as a substitute. The Hungarian midfielder has been out of action since the victory over Chelsea last month due to a hamstring injury he sustained during that match.

Szoboszlai’s comeback is crucial as Gravenberch and Jones will be unavailable for the next two games, while Thiago and Bajcetic are facing long-term absences. Gakpo and Diaz are fit to start in the attack against Forest, especially with Diaz being rested in the previous match against Southampton. However, Nunez and Salah have been missing from the squad in the last three games.

Having the dynamic duo of Gakpo and Diaz back on the bench this weekend would be a significant boost for the team. Klopp had to rely on young and inexperienced players like Danns, McConnell, and Clark in recent matches, with limited first-team experience between them.

In the match against Southampton, Koumas was given a rare opportunity to start alongside Elliott on the opposite side and Gakpo in the center. Danns came off the bench for 27 minutes, while Kaide Gordon also had a brief appearance towards the end. Despite Liverpool scoring three goals without them, Klopp would undoubtedly appreciate having the quality of Salah and Nunez available, even if it’s just for 10 to 15 minutes at the end, when they face City at the City Ground.

Liverpool is well aware of the importance of securing a victory, considering the intense competition for the title. City is expected to defeat United, and Arsenal is heavily favored to dominate struggling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Having Endo back in the starting lineup, along with the potential return of Szoboszlai, Salah, and Nunez on the bench, would provide a significant boost for Liverpool.