Liverpool primed to end season well with key men returning - opinion
Usually seen as a well-oiled and drilled machine, the Reds have looked like a shadow of the team which won two trophies last term and reached the final of the Champions League.
Many have hinted towards the infamous 'seventh season curse' regarding Jurgen Klopp being the issue and while a case of burnout could be a factor, injuries to key players have picked apart the German manager's squad.
But now there is cause for optimism that the final stint of the campaign can end well for Liverpool with plenty of those on the treatment table returning.
The big returnee is towering defender Virgil van Dijk, who made the squad for the Merseyside derby win over Everton after a six-game absence with a thigh injury.
The Netherlands international then made his impact known in the recent trip to high-flying Newcastle, leading the side to end the Magpies' 17-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
A return could soon come to fellow central defender Ibrahima Konate, whose season so far was stalled by a combination of injuries - the latest being a thigh problem suffered in last month's FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
On the front end, the return of the versatile Diogo Jota will serve as a big plus for Liverpool, given they will be able to boost the depth of their already strong-looking attack comprised of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
It is likely the former Wolves man will need a few games to get back into the swing of things, though, given he was sidelined for two months with a hamstring problem picked up in October's league victory over Manchester City.
Jota was introduced off the bench in both the wins over Everton and Newcastle as did Roberto Firmino, who was injured ahead of Liverpool's League Cup defeat to City in December.
The Brazilian has been used sporadically this season but his availability should be welcomed given he will be another option for Klopp - especially with rigorous Champions League knockout stage ties against Real Madrid ahead.
A return for Luis Diaz is timetabled for slightly further down the line after suffering a setback with his recovery from a knee injury suffered in October, but the explosive Colombian is likely to be a key man again for the run-in.
Similar can be said about Thiago and Liverpool will be wanting him to make a swift recovery from a hip problem given their midfield issues this season - although teenager and fellow Spaniard Stefan Bajcetic has stepped up excellently in his absence.
Liverpool may not be exactly where they want to at present, but still having a place in European football's top competition and being a reasonable distance from the Premier League top four means all is not lost.
And the prospect of having a stronger squad when the important fixtures roll around should serve as a boost when it is crunch time.
