Liverpool midfielder Emre Can will be part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad that is tasked with overcoming a one goal deficit against Spanish opponents Villarreal in the 2nd leg of the Europa League semifinal at Anfield on Thursday.
Klopp heads into Thursday night’s clash at Anfield with a spate of injuries and suspensions to contend with. Divock Origi, Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez are ruled out for the season while centre-back Mamadou Sakho has been banned for 30 days from all competitions after failing UEFA’s drug test in the aftermath of Liverpool’s win over Manchester United in the Round of 16 of the Europa League a couple of months ago.
Emre Can returns to the Liverpool squad
However, in some good news for Klopp, Turkish International midfielder Emre Can has made a shock return to first team training and is fit to face Villarreal. “Emre Can is ready to return to the squad for sure, but the rest we have to see,” said Klopp (as reported by the club’s official website).
“Hendo is in a good way – a good way for England, I am not too sure how good a way it is for Liverpool in this case because he has not been on the pitch yet.
“We have to see day by day how the improvement is, but he is in a good way. Only Emre will return to the squad, the rest are still out.”
A welcome return to training for Emre Can… pic.twitter.com/Hjv1qEnFif
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 4, 2016
Reds forward Daniel Sturridge, who played 90 minutes at the weekend against Swansea, will mostly join fellow striker Christian Benteke on the bench with Jurgen Klopp likely to deploy Roberto Firmino up top against Villarreal.
Kolo Toure will continue at centre-back alongside Dejan Lovren in the absence of Sakho, with Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne occupying the full back berths. While Joe Allen and Lucas are likely to be tasked with protecting the back four, England midfielder Adam Lallana will occupy the role behind the striker with Milner and Coutinho flanking him on either side.
