Published: December 9, 2021 7:32 pm
Last Updated: December 9, 2021 7:36 pm
Premier League giants Liverpool have, on Thursday, been handed an altogether timely boost on the personnel front.
Gerrard lies in wait
Jurgen Klopp’s side will of course be back in action in less than 48 hours’ time.
After rounding out a flawless Champions League group stage campaign courtesy of a 2-1 downing of Italian heavyweights AC Milan during the week, the Reds are set to turn their attentions back towards matters on the domestic front.
A highly anticipated Premier League showdown with Aston Villa lies in wait, at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
The headline talking point heading into the Merseyside clash has of course come in the form of an impending reunion with club legend Steven Gerrard, now in charge of matters on the touchline at Villa Park.
The one-time English international has enjoyed a fine start to life back in the Premier League since departing Rangers for pastures new last month, with Villa fresh off the back of three wins from their last four outings.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Steven Gerrard celebrates after Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa (not pictured) scores their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on November 20, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Firmino returns
As such, Liverpool look set to have their work cut out for them this weekend, amid the club’s efforts to keep pace with table-topping Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp will therefore no doubt be keen to have as many of his key performers as possible fit and available to feature from the off versus Villa.
And, on Thursday, the Reds boss’ options appear to have been handed a timely boost.
As showcased below, Roberto Firmino, sidelined since last month with a hamstring injury, has returned to first-team training alongside the rest of the club’s stars.
Though it remains unclear whether or not the Brazilian will be available this weekend, his imminent return marks a timely one ahead of the hectic festive fixture list.
Roberto Firmino back training with the Liverpool squad today.#LFC https://t.co/x1XYfD1XBM
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) December 9, 2021
Revealed: 55million price-tag Arsenal and Liverpool would face for Canadian international
Youngster passes audition but fringe star struggles: Liverpool player ratings from AC Milan win
Liverpool betting odds, next game:
Liverpool vs Aston Villa odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
Liverpool’s latest videos
‘He literally saved my life’ | Alisson helps with emotional surprise for lifelong Liverpool fan
In the latest instalment of Nivea’s ‘Dear Liverpool’ – the Reds goalkeeper meets an…
2021-12-09T10:00:23Z
Klopp’s Reaction: English record, Tyler Morton & Milan | AC Milan vs Liverpool
Watch as the boss, Jürgen Klopp speaks to the media following Liverpool’s UEFA Champions…
2021-12-07T22:56:15Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 15 | 23 | 35 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 15 | 32 | 34 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 15 | 26 | 33 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 15 | 9 | 27 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | -1 | 25 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 15 | 1 | 24 |
| 7 | Arsenal FC | 15 | -4 | 23 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 15 | -1 | 21 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 15 | -2 | 20 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 15 | -3 | 19 |
| 11 | Leicester City | 15 | -4 | 19 |
| 12 | Everton FC | 15 | -6 | 18 |
| 13 | Brentford FC | 15 | -2 | 17 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 15 | -2 | 16 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 15 | -7 | 16 |
| 16 | Southampton FC | 15 | -7 | 16 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 15 | -9 | 13 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 14 | -7 | 10 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 15 | -13 | 10 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 15 | -23 | 10 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 9 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Silva, Bernardo | Manchester City | 7 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 6 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 6 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 6 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 6 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 6 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 5 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 5 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 5 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 5 |
| Pukki, Teemu | Norwich City | 5 |
| Cornet, Maxwel | Burnley FC | 5 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 1 | 5 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 4 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 0 | 5 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Ritchie, Matt | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 5 |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Lascelles, Jamaal | Newcastle United | 0 | 5 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 5 |
| Ward, Joel | Crystal Palace | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 5 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 4 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 | 3 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 0 | 4 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 7 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 6 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 4 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 3 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Henderson, Jordan | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 3 |
| Lowton, Matthew | Burnley FC | 3 |
