Alisson: Liverpool goalkeeper to return against Chelsea

The Brazilian was granted compassionate leave after his father passed away last week and subsequently missed the win over Sheffield United on Sunday

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson will return to the side for the Premier League match with Chelsea on Thursday.

The Brazilian was granted compassionate leave after his father passed away last week and subsequently missed the win over Sheffield United on Sunday.

But manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will return for the game against the Blues at Anfield.

Midfielder Fabinho, who has been deputising in defence in the wake of the Reds extensive injury crisis, is also set to return to the squad.

Diogo Jota, who has been out since early December, could also feature.

“Ali trained now the full week and, yes, we should expect that he is able to return,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“Fab has now five or six sessions in his legs and we have to make a decision how we deal with that, but he looks good and is ready for the squad for sure.

“Diogo had this little stomach problem and he trained yesterday only a little bit; he was only out there for the warming-up and the rondos and then had a little run.

“I got the message this morning that he feels better again, so we will see what we can do with that.

“As I said, before he looked exceptionally well, but unfortunately he got ill overnight, so now we have to see how big the steps are he can make towards the team again.”

Liverpool sit in sixth place in the Premier League, one point behind Thomas Tuchel’s side in the race for the top four.

They are two points off the Champions League qualification places and 22 behind runaway leaders Manchester City.