Thiago, Elliott, Origi, Salah and Mane - Liverpool injury update and potential return dates ahead of Cardiff

A look at when Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott and Divock Origi could be fully fit after their respective injuries along with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane’s potential comeback games as they bid for AFCON glory.
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Liverpool are back in action after the international break when they host Cardiff City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday (12.00).

With the Reds second in the Premier League table, into the last 16 of the Champions League and having reached the Carabao Cup final, Jurgen Klopp will no doubt want to continue an assault on all four fronts.

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The Liverpool boss is likely to make changes against the Championship visitors.

And here is the latest on the injury and availability situation at Anfield heading into the game and beyond.

Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The midfielder had found a rich vein of form before he contracted Covid-19 before Christmas.

Then after his period of isolation, Thiago suffered a hip injury in training.

As a result, he has missed Liverpool’s past nine matches.

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However, before the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat of Arsenal, assistant boss Pep Lijnders confirmed that the Spain international should return for the Cardiff clash.

It could be the ideal game for Thiago to get 60 minutes under his belt ahead of a key month with the Wembley final against Chelsea at the end.

Potential return game: Cardiff City (H), 6 February.

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott during training. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesHarvey Elliott during training. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Harvey Elliott during training. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It has been a long road back to recovery from the exciting teenage starlet.

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It was confirmed afterwards that the attacking midfielder had dislocated and fractured his ankle.

It’s been almost five months since we’ve seen Elliott in action.

He netted for the under-23s in a behind-closed-doors game against Wrexham last week to prepare him for his first-team return.

Klopp has preached caution with Elliott because of how long he’s been absent.

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But the Liverpool boss confirmed the former Blackburn loanee should be available after the international break - and he’s likely to be involved in some sort of capacity against Cardiff.

Potential return game: Cardiff City (H), 6 February.

Divock Origi

There has never been a clear diagnosis given of Origi’s setback.

Still, it’s been serious enough to rule him out of action since he scored the winner in the 2-1 Champions League victory over AC Milan on 7 December.

Although Liverpool have coped superbly without him at a time Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are at AFCON, Klopp will still want Origi fully fit as soon as possible.

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Lijnders, speaking before the Arsenal win, admitted the Cardiff clash would come too soon for the Belgian.

He is earmarked to resume full training the following week.

The clash with Leicester on Thursday 10 February may be ruled out but Origi might be back on the bench for Liverpool’s following match.

Potential return game: Burney (A), Sunday 13 February.

Mo Salah and Sadio Mane

Salah and Mane are Liverpool friends and team-mates but could well be foes on Sunday in the final of the tournament.

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Mane’s Senegal play Burkina Faso in the semi-finals tonight, with Salah looking to put Egypt one step closer to a record eighth title when they face hosts Cameroon tomorrow.

If the pair do reach the final, it will be interesting to see if Klopp gives them a rest or not.

In truth, you’d think the wing wizards will be wanted back as quickly as possible in Liverpool’s bid to chase down Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Potential return game: Leicester (H), Thursday 10 February.