MatchLiverpool v Atalanta: Europa League team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota could hand Liverpool a boost by returning to the squad to face Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Jürgen Klopp revealed in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that all three were in his thoughts for the fixture, but no decision had been made on whether they could feature at Anfield in the opening tie of the quarter-final meeting.
“We will have to see that,” Klopp said of their possible involvement in the 8pm BST kick-off.
“So, obviously we didn’t rush it with the boys. You can but we didn’t, that means they did a lot of training by themselves, especially Diogo and Trent, [they] worked as a group for two or three weeks really properly training. So, [they] looked very good yesterday, to be honest.”
Stefan Bajcetic has also returned to team training in recent days, though a more cautious approach is set to be taken with the midfielder, owing to his long-term absence from match action.
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Watch on YouTubeKlopp added: “Stefan is different a little bit because he was out for much longer, but he is now training with us for longer as well. But I think after the long spell he had without playing football it makes sense that we might give him a game at U21s and then let’s see how he deals with that.
“That’s not the plan with the other three guys. Alisson is on the way back as well. So, we have to see that.
“They are now back in training and now we have to see how we involve them and how we use them. That we need them is clear. But we need them in the best possible shape, and we want to give them kind of rhythm.
“It’s always a challenge trying to reintegrate the guys. With the quality they have it should be easier, and we will use them in the next days and weeks, but what it means for [Thursday] I didn’t make a decision yet.”
Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak and Joel Matip have been sidelined for the Reds due to injury.
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Atalanta, meanwhile, have confirmed the 23-man squad that has travelled for them to Merseyside from Bergamo.
The group includes La Dea’s third-highest scorer of the season, Charles De Ketelaere, who returned as a second-half substitute last weekend after around three weeks out with a hamstring complaint.
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is without defender Giorgio Scalvini, however.
“Liverpool are very strong and we will play in a wonderful stadium,” said Gasperini at his pre-match press conference. “We earned the chance to play this match and we will try to do our best.
“Compared to the matches against Liverpool in 2020, we have three or four players left, perhaps there are a few more with them.
“We are talking about a team that has many champions, which has renewed itself by introducing young players. It’s an example to follow.”
Gasperini also confirmed Juan Musso will start in goal for the visitors at Anfield, rather than Marco Carnesecchi.
Last match
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool (April 7): Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Cagliari 2-1 Atalanta (April 7): Carnesecchi, Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac, Hateboer, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta, Koopmeiners, Scamacca, Lookman.