Just in: Massive boost for Liverpool as Firmino and Fabinho are back at Anfield ahead of AFCON and Asian Cup

Just in: Massive boost for Liverpool as Firmino and Fabinho are back at Anfield ahead of AFCON and Asian Cup

Liverpool’s first game of 2024 brought a reunion with departed legends Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, but Jordan Henderson was not among those at Anfield.

The Reds kicked off the year with the visit of Newcastle on New Year’s Day, watched by two of the most revered players of Jurgen Klopp‘s reign.

With the Saudi Pro League on a break until next month, Firmino and Fabinho made the trip back to Anfield, greeted by fans before kickoff.

? Welcome back to Anfield, Roberto Firmino!

? Bobby and Fabinho are here for #LFC vs. Newcastle! pic.twitter.com/vICELhZv5j

— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) January 1, 2024

Welcome back, @_fabinhotavares ? pic.twitter.com/gtgYvJvZVU

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2024

The pair were all smiles as they posed for photographs in the familiar rain of Merseyside, with both given a warm reception before heading down the tunnel.

Firmino was then met by Thiago, who travelled with the squad as ever, before heading up to a box in the Main Stand along with his family.

Bobby back at Anfield ?? pic.twitter.com/cAZtln2r5f

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2024

Absent for the Premier League clash, however, was Jordan Henderson, who like his former team-mates made the move to Saudi Arabia in the summer.

Henderson has instead opted for a skiing holiday with his family, with there every chance the ex-captain makes a visit to Anfield before play resumes in February.

Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum are among the other ex-Reds in the Saudi Pro League, but neither made immediate switches to the Middle East from Liverpool.

Firmino’s presence in the city was always expected this week, with the striker scheduling a signing of his new autobiography, ‘Si Senor’, on Friday, January 5.

But the fact Fabinho joined his compatriot is a marker of his appreciation for the club and city he called home for five trophy-laden years.

Fabinho has so far made 21 appearances for an Al-Ittihad side who sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League, while Firmino has already been linked with a move away from third-placed Al-Ahli.Liverpool will be hopeful of avoiding further injury blows that could derail their Premier League season
Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson of Liverpool
Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson of Liverpool
Liverpool could welcome back another player from injury this evening when taking on Newcastle United at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp was boosted by the return of Diogo Jota in the Boxing Day win at Burnley and could have Alexis Mac Allister back in the ranks after almost a month on the sidelines.

The Argentine international was seen in training this week and stands a chance of going straight back in the starting-eleven for the visit of the Magpies.

There does remain a selection of stars unavailable to Klopp, however, who will be hoping this situation can soon improve. Below is a round-up of those currently sidelined, with seven players currently on the treatment table.

Kostas Tsimikas
The Greek defender suffered a nasty collision following a challenge from Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, which saw Tsimikas land awkwardly on his shoulder.

He clattered into Klopp on the touchline after being brought to ground by Saka and immediately appeared in serious pain.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with the Gunners, the Liverpool boss confirmed it was not good news on Tsimikas. Klopp said: “He [Tsimikas] broke his collarbone at least. That’s really bad for us.”

Expected return date: Unknown

Alexis Mac Allister
Mac Allister could make his return to action this evening, having been unavailable for selection since suffering a cut to his knee in the 1-0 win at Sheffield United earlier this month.

The Argentine’s condition, initially thought to be minor, was worse than first feared and has therefore led to him missing multiple matches. But he was pictured in first-team training this week and is in contention to play against Newcastle.

Expected return date: January 1

Joel Matip
Liverpool defender Joel Matip is recovering from surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 32-year-old, who is the final months of his contract at Anfield, is likely to miss the rest of the season.

He was left stricken on the Anfield turf in the 70th-minute of the dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham after an off-the-ball incident.

“It’s an ACL, ruptured, so that’s what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. Very unfortunate,” Klopp said.

Expected return date: 2024/25 season

Andy Robertson
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is set to make a timely return in January after being out since following a shoulder injury on international duty with Scotland.

The Tartan Army captain was forced to undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder and has been out of action since – missing the Reds’ rise to Premier League challengers and Scotland’s successful Euro 2024 qualification bid.

Discussing the Scot’s condition last week, Klopp said: “Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder,” said the boss “Obviously it was a big surgery. [He is] still not even close to team training or whatever.

“[He] can do a lot, everything without using the arm properly, which is obviously good but on the other side shows us we still have a long way to go. For sure, I think, the full January he has to get closer and closer.”

Expected return date: January

Ben Doak
Ben Doak was recently forced off in an under-21s match against Chelsea, sustaining a blow to the knee.

It’s a huge blow during a time where Doak was beginning to enjoy a first-team role, with outings in both the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

The Scot is not expected to be rushed back anytime soon. Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said of his condition: “That’s not a good one. He teared his lateral meniscus, which needs surgery.

“That one will take [a] longer time. He is young, he is a fit guy, he is a positive guy so for sure he will come back stronger, and we need him to come back with the same fire he has with the ball, how he was. He can take time and we will wait for him.”

Expected return date: Unknown

Thiago Alcantara
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara hasn’t featured for the Reds since their win over West Ham United back in April.

A hip issue has proven problematic for the midfield maestro, who underwent surgery in a bid to bring an end to the problem at play. The last update issued on Thiago came on Friday, with Klopp hopeful of seeing the No.6 back in action in January.

“I think Thiago will be at one point in team training [in January],” he said.

“Thiago is in a very good moment as well but we just have to make sure we don’t use him then too early. The hip thing in and around that area is just a long-term thing as well.

“There were for sure days where he could have easily trained but it’s all about how can he be back then in the long term, and that’s what we are working on.”

Expected return date: January

Stefan Bajcetic
Stefan Bajcetic has endured a frustrating period for Liverpool after a number of injury problems.

He enjoyed a strong debut season, during a dismal period for the club, but saw his campaign end after a stress response in his adductor in March. Bajcetic returned in September with outings in the Carabao Cup and Europa League but his involvement against LASK Linz proved to be the last after suffering a calf issue.

A recovery date for the midfielder remains unconfirmed. Discussing the Spaniard during his latest press conference, Klopp remarked: “With Stefan, if you ask Stefan how he feels, he says ‘good’. ‘Could you train?’ Yes, he could. It’s just we have to be sensible. That’s how it is.”

Expected return date: Unknown

One former Liverpool star brutally insisted he did not want to sign for Manchester City.

City are among the richest and most successful clubs in world football.

Indeed, 2023 saw Pep Guardiola’s men round off a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble with the Club World Cup in December.

But they’ve not always been as attractive a proposition as they are today.

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Former Liverpool star Daniel Agger admitted that he rejected a move to City during his Anfield days, despite being surplus to requirements on Merseyside.

Agger spent eight years at Liverpool after signing from boyhood club Brondby in 2006. He became one of the club’s first-choice centre-backs enjoying partnerships with both Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel.

And while his good performances sparked rumours of a departure to the likes of Barcelona and City, two clubs where he was more likely to win silverware, Agger insisted he always wanted to stay at Liverpool.

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Speaking on ‘Aldo Meets’ Podcast, hosted by Liverpool legend John Aldridge, Agger said: “I remember I got presented for all these things and the club asked me what I was going to do and I said, ‘If you want me here, I will stay’. But I said, ‘If you don’t want me, if you don’t see me as part of your future I think it’s time that I go because I want to play football.

“I don’t know the story from their side, I think they agreed a price (with Barcelona) and they accepted it and came to me and said, ‘This is it’. I said, ‘Okay, fair enough’”.

City, who were four years into their Abu Dhabi ownership, were able to trump Barcelona’s offer, but Agger insisted he did not want to move to a Premier League rival.

The 39-year-old continued: “I said, ‘If you want to sell me I go down there (to Barcelona) otherwise I don’t go’.

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“And another offer came in from the same club (Man City), higher, and my feeling was that the club wanted me to go because it was a lot of money back then.

“I said, ‘There’s no chance I’m going to that club, so better just stop now’”.

The centre-back ultimately left Liverpool in 2014 and returned to Brondby where he spent two seasons before retiring.

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It has been claimed that Chelsea have made a decision about bringing Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke to the club.

CHELSEA spent some serious money on improving that attack in the last transfer window and brought in Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in hope they could bang in the goals on a weekly basis.

However – Jackson has really struggled to score the amount of goals that Chelsea fans would have liked to see, while Nkunku has spent much of his time on the sidelines with injury.

That has led to all sorts of speculation in the media that Chelsea will once again delve into that transfer kitty and try to sign a striker for the club over the next few weeks, and they have been linked with some big names.

And that has led to some shocking speculation that Chelsea may be interested in signing Solanke this transfer window after his impressive last few months of the season, in which he has netted 12 goals.

However – if you believe the words of journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have made the decision not to make a move for the striker, Phillips via his Substack, wrote: “I am told [Dominic] Solanke is not being considered by Chelsea.”

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We are not sure that Solanke is able to lead the attack for one of the biggest clubs, he tried at CHELSEA, he tried at Liverpool and failed to do so, so it would be a surprise to see the Blues bringing him back.

At this stage of his career, he is at the best club for him and leaving could be another transfer mistake. So the news that the Blues are not making a move may come as a great bit of news for the players career.