Liverpool could welcome back forward Luis Diaz from injury earlier than expected, according to new reports.
Diaz suffered a knee injury in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on October 9. As a result, he was substituted before half-time.
The Colombian was then ruled out of action until after the World Cup, with a timeframe of around three months given for his return to the pitch.
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Since Diaz's injury, Liverpool have also lost Diogo Jota, who suffered a serious calf problem in the 1-0 win over Manchester City. He will miss the World Cup with Portugal, and will also be out for several months.
The only positive for the Reds with both injuries, so far, is that the Premier League breaks for the World Cup in early November.
That gives players the opportunity to recover for over a month, without missing any domestic fixtures during that time period.
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And with that in mind, Liverpool may have been handed a major boost over the status of Diaz.
Luis Diaz reportedly to return earlier than expected
According to Football Insider, sources have told the publication that Diaz could return earlier than the three-month timeframe initially given.
It is claimed that the belief is that the 25-year-old will be back in full training before Liverpool's Boxing Day clash against Aston
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Villa at Anfield, which is the first Premier League match that the Reds will play in post-World Cup.
Therefore, if all goes to plan, the Colombian could be involved in the match against Villa.
Liverpool will certainly have to do without Diaz for their next two Premier League games against Tottenham and Southampton. However, the break for the World Cup begins on November 12, with some of Liverpool's injured stars, including Diaz, facing a race against time to be back for December 26.
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Diaz is a player that Jurgen Klopp can rely on, and the German explained exactly why following the Reds' FA Cup win last season: "What a player. He's outstanding.
"He fits like a glove to our football, and that's really, really special."
Topics: Liverpool, Luis Diaz, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp
Ryan Smart