Adam Lallana closes in on first-team return as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he could face Bournemouth: 'He will be ready for the squad at least'

  • Adam Lallana ruptured his thigh during pre-season and has played just one game
  • He came back against Chelsea in November but suffered yet another setback
  • Jurgen Klopp says he is ready to return and could face Bournemouth on Sunday
  • Liverpool's home form has been criticised but Klopp defended his rotation policy

Adam Lallana is closing in on a return to first-team action with Liverpool and could feature against Bournemouth on Sunday.

The England midfielder has endured a difficult campaign after rupturing a thigh muscle in pre-season, but he now looks set to return once more.

Lallana resumed first-team training last week and Klopp admits he could return as soon as this weekend, with the games coming thick and fast.

Adam Lallana is closing in on a return to Liverpool after injuring his thigh in pre-season

Adam Lallana is closing in on a return to Liverpool after injuring his thigh in pre-season

Jurgen Klopp says Lallana could feature against Bournemouth and will at least be in the squad

Jurgen Klopp says Lallana could feature against Bournemouth and will at least be in the squad

'Adam is back and in full and normal training,' the Liverpool boss said in his press conference on Friday.


'If nothing changed since yesterday, he will be ready for the squad at least.'

Lallana missed the start of the season after needing a protective brace on his leg, but did manage to come on against Chelsea at the back end of November.

He was then forced to take a step back after reporting a tightness in his muscle after the 89th-minute cameo, and Liverpool are keen to not push the 29-year-old too hard.

For Klopp, though, it is imperative that he has as many players as possible at his disposal going into the busy Christmas period.

The Reds' home form has slipped of late, and the manager has fielded some criticism over his regular rotation between players.

Lallana has had to watch from the sidelines for most of the current Premier League campaign

Lallana has had to watch from the sidelines for most of the current Premier League campaign

His presence has been missed by both Liverpool and England and he will be desperate to play

His presence has been missed by both Liverpool and England and he will be desperate to play

'We have to make sure we have as fit as possible players for the specific game,' Klopp said. 'That's what we did, all the time. The squad gives us that opportunity, and that's why we did it. That's pretty much all.

'It's normal after two draws at home but there is criticism, that's completely normal. But they were completely different games. We played really well against Everton, one of the best derbies since I've been here, but the wrong result. 

'But West Brom was not a good performance, not fluid enough, passing not at its best, and that's it. It was not a good game. I don't think it had anything to do with rotation. All the players, even the players I rotate, have two games a week, and we make sure they don't have to play all the time three games a week.'

'Nine days ago we were flying, but now I look in your eyes and I see we have real problems. Everything is quick in this world at the moment.' 

Klopp also defended his decision to rotate his squad, with the games coming thick and fast

Klopp also defended his decision to rotate his squad, with the games coming thick and fast

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