Liverpool have been given a major boost with the news that talismanic defender Virgil van Dijk is set to return to action in April.
The Dutchman has been on the sidelines since October after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Merseyside Derby against Everton following Jordan Pickford's reckless lunge.
But his hard work during his rehabilitation in Dubai is paying off with Van Dijk due back on the pitch in three months' time, according to the Daily Star.
Van Dijk has been training at the renowned NAS facility and keeping fans updated on his progress. He most recently shared a snap of him with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was also there for treatment.
However, the news is less positive for van Dijk's centre-back partner Joe Gomez, who is still expected to miss the remainder of the season and may even be a doubt for England at Euro 2020.
Gomez suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty with England in November, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said earlier this week that the 23-year-old was 'far away' from making a return.
With their three main central defenders out injured - Joel Matip was the latest to suffer ankle damage against Tottenham on Thursday - the Reds remain very keen to bring in a new replacement before the transfer window shuts.
However, the champions are frustrated by top targets being unavailable until the summer, leaving them with a limited selection of candidates not guaranteed to be good enough.
A move for Leipzig’s Dayot Upacemano is complicated by the Germans facing Liverpool in the Champions League while Bayern Munich’s David Alaba has his heart set on a move to La Liga.
More realistic options include Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi and Issa Diop of West Ham who are both out of favour at their current sides. Mustafi, a former German international, has only six months left on his contract at The Emirates.
Skipper Jordan Henderson is set to partner Nathaniel Phillips or Rhys Williams against West Ham on Sunday. The Liverpool youngsters have previously made just six Premier League appearances between them.
