Liverpool are set to have midfielder Wataru Endo available to play in Saturday's Premier League clash against Burnley at Anfield.
The 30-year-old summer signing from Stuttgart has missed each of Liverpool's last seven matches in all competitions as he has been away on international duty with Japan at the Asian Cup.
Endo was hoping to captain Japan to a record-extending fourth Asian Cup title this year, but the Samurai Blue were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Iran, losing 2-1 last Saturday.
The midfielder played in all five of Japan's fixtures at the tournament held in Qatar and scored just his third international goal in their group-stage defeat against Iraq.
Endo, who has earned 60 caps for Japan, has now returned to Liverpool following his participation at the Asian Cup and arrived back at the club's AXA Training Centre on Thursday to take part in first-team training.
Liverpool's No.3 is therefore in contention to make his first appearance for Jurgen Klopp's side since New Year's Day when the Reds play host to relegation-threatened Burnley this weekend.
Out for training... and it's a cold one ❄️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2024
Who would you like to see from today's session? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kc25OrtvT7
While Endo's return is a welcome boost for Liverpool, Klopp could be without as many as eight first-team players for the visit of Burnley, including midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
The 32-year-old made his first appearance since April last year in last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal after recovering from injury, but he has reportedly suffered a fresh setback after sustaining a muscle problem during his brief run-out at the Emirates Stadium.
Along with Thiago, Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Conor Bradley all missed first-team training on Thursday, the latter of whom remains on compassionate leave following the recent passing of his father.
Gomez's reason for his absence is currently unknown, while both Szoboszlai and Salah are still recovering from hamstring injuries.
Joel Matip (ACL) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) remain long-term absentees, while Ibrahima Konate will miss Saturday's match due to suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences against Arsenal.
However, Liverpool have been boosted by the return to training of left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who has recovered from a fractured collarbone, although it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the matchday squad this weekend.
Oliver Thomas
