Firmino returns to Liverpool training to delighted declaration from Van Dijk

Roberto Firmino has returned to training much to the delight of his Liverpool teammates.

The Brazilian has been out since picking up a hamstring injury in the Reds' 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid back in early November.

Liverpool have won six of their seven games in all competitions since, despite his absence.

Klopp initially claimed the injury was "not good" and feared the 30-year-old was set for a lengthy spell out.

However Firmino has returned in the nick of time with the busy fixture schedule soon upon us.

Virgil van Dijk, who himself dealt with a horrific injury last term, was overjoyed to have the Brazilian back training at Kirby.

He was joined by Joe Gomez and Naby Keita, who have also been on the injured list.

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In a video on Liverpool's website the Dutchman said: "Bobby, Naby, Joe - beautiful. What a sight".

In Firmino's absence Diogo Jota has filled in alongside Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

Prior to his injury the forward had made 11 appearances, scoring on six occasions, including a hat-trick during the 5-0 rout at Watford.

Liverpool's next game is against Aston Villa this weekend, in which several of their returning stars could feature.

Keita bolsters Klopp's midfield options whilst Gomez will aim to dislodge the likes of Ibrahima Konate at the heart of defence.

Liverpool will host Newcastle United on December 16, which begins a run of six games in the space of 16 days.

After the visit of the Magpies the Reds head to Tottenham, take on Leicester City in the Carabao Cup and face Leeds United.

The Foxes are then again on Liverpool's fixture list before they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on January 2.

Klopp could be without Salah and Mane, who are set to jet off on international duty to represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Currently Liverpool will lose their two forward stars after the Boxing Day clash with Leeds.

Klopp though is confident that their departure can be delayed. Last week he said: "It's not decided yet. I am an optimistic person, so I hope so, but it's not written in stone and not completely in our hands."

Reds midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has claimed, following the midweek win at AC Milan, that the current team tops that which won the Premier League in 2020.

"I think the team is in the best shape it's (ever) been. I think we're a better team than we have been (up to) this point in time," he said.

"And I think that comes with playing together for years, having moments of success, understanding what we needed to do to get that, the levels we had to set and how relentless we had to be to achieve those things."