Liverpool Handed Major Injury Boost As Star Returns To Training Ahead Of Villarreal

Liverpool have been handed a major injury boost after Emre Can returned to training well ahead of schedule and could be in contention to face Villarreal on Thursday night, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Can was enjoying an excellent season before he was sidelined after suffering ankle ligament damage during Liverpool’s 4-3 Europa League quarter final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield last month.

While Reds boss Jurgen Klopp remained hopeful the midfielder could make it back in time for a potential Europa League final, the 22-year-old was realistically expected to miss the rest of the season.

However, the Liverpool Echo claim that Can has made a swift recovery and was able to take part in training at Melwood on Monday afternoon with the rest of the squad that didn’t start during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Swansea.

The newspaper says that Can will continue to train with the first team this week and could now come in to contention to start during Liverpool’s crucial Europa League semi-final second leg with Villarreal at Anfield on Thursday night.

Can will be carefully assessed by the clubs medical team over the coming days but it will come as a major boost to Klopp if the German international is passed fit for what is now the clubs biggest game of the season.

The 22-year-old has played a key role in midfield under Klopp since his arrival as manager in October and with Jordan Henderson already ruled out, it will be a significant boost to have Can available.

Liverpool welcome the La Liga outfit to Anfield on Thursday needing to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit after Villarreal scored an injury-time winner in Spain last week.