Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that both Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai could return from injury for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
The duo were two of a staggering 14 players unavailable for Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round win over Southampton, where academy products Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns (two) were on target.
Nunez has not been available since coming off at half time in the 4-1 beating of Brentford on February 17, although he was seen charging about during the EFL Cup final celebrations seemingly pain-free.
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai picked up a thigh injury before Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Arsenal on February 4, but speaking to reporters in Friday's press conference, Klopp revealed that the pair had returned to full training on Thursday and could be involved at the City Ground barring any setbacks.
"Darwin and Dom trained yesterday with the team. So, they looked good, but we have to wait [to see] how they react," the German said, before also offering the latest on Mohamed Salah's recovery from a thigh problem.
The Egypt international was among the touch-and-go players for the EFL Cup final and Southampton showdown, but he failed to appear in either of them and is also not quite ready to make his comeback this weekend.
However, Klopp is hopeful that Salah will be back in team training at some point next week, adding: "I don't think Mo is too far off, but he will not feature tomorrow and from there we have to go. It's like touch and go... but I think next week at any point it is possible. He is on the way back, definitely, but not there yet."
In addition, neither Wataru Endo (knock) nor Andrew Robertson (illness) have been ruled out of the encounter with Nuno Espirito Santo's team just yet, although Klopp revealed that the pair had not trained with the team earlier this week.
Alexis Mac Allister was also suffering from the same bug Robertson picked up before the FA Cup encounter with Southampton, but Klopp has given him the all-clear to face the Tricky Trees.
"Wataru and Robbo didn't [train with the team], but there is the plan that they join in today. That's the idea but we have to see if that really works out," the Liverpool boss said.
"Ibou [Ibrahima Konate], nothing, it [him not starting against Southampton] was just time-sharing. Lucho [Luis Diaz] is fine, Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] is fine. They all look fine.
"The little problem we couldn't know about is that Macca was ill for one-and-a-half days I would say and Robbo had the same thing, so hopefully that didn't spread now. So far I didn't hear anything [but] I didn't ask because I don't want to know probably! So, we will see."
Prior to the three-goal success over Southampton, Klopp refused to rule EFL Cup final ankle victim Ryan Gravenberch out of more than one match, but the Dutchman will seemingly be unavailable this weekend.
Gravenberch will be one of nine definite absentees for the Reds, who are also coping without Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Curtis Jones (shin), Alisson Becker (thigh) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle).
Klopp's side hold a one-point lead over Manchester City and two-point advantage over Arsenal at the top of the table, but they have never won a Premier League game against Forest at the City Ground. body check tags ::
