Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has revealed that he hopes to return from injury in time for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid.
Diaz joined the Reds from Porto last January, and he has gone on to make 38 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists.
The Colombia international, however, has been sidelined since October after sustaining a knee injury in a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.
Diaz looked to be on his way to recovery when he linked up with the Liverpool squad for their mid-season training camp in Dubai in December.
Unfortunately for the forward, he suffered a setback and had to subsequently undergo surgery on his lateral collateral ligament.
Diaz is not expected to return until March at the earliest, ensuring he will miss the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on February 21.
However, Diaz has hinted he could be available for the return leg when asked if he would be fit for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on March 15.
Diaz told Sky Sports News: "Let's wait, let's wait a little just to see when I can come back to the pitch. If it's in the Bernabeu it will be great."
Despite spending the majority of the campaign in the treatment room, Diaz has still managed to score four goals and provided three assists in 12 competitive appearances this term.
Liverpool's injury issues are showing signs of easing, following the returns of Arthur, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk to full training.
While it remains to be seen whether the quartet will be available for Monday's Merseyside derby, the latest news will certainly come as a boost for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
As well as being without the services of Diaz, the Reds are unable to call upon Ibrahima Konate due to a thigh injury.
After losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Liverpool are currently winless in four games, but they will be looking to end their poor run of form against local rivals Everton on Monday.
The Reds currently occupy 10th position in the Premier League table, 12 points adrift of the Champions League places with two games in hand. body check tags ::
