Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip ‘on track’ in fight for fitness

Reds could be handed a boost at the back as the season nears its conclusion

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp will be relieved by the recoveries of his injured players (Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp has issued an encouraging update on the fitness of four key Liverpool players, who he says are “on track” in their respective recoveries from injury.

Defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been out for the majority of the season, while fellow centre-back Joel Matip sustained an injury at the start of February.

In their absences, midfielder Jordan Henderson had spent much of the campaign as a placeholder in defence, but the club captain was forced to undergo groin surgery at the end of February.

All four players are progressing well in their fights for fitness, however, according to their coach.

“They all are [on track],” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.

“Joe is outside running now and all these kind of things, which is obviously always a big step after all injuries.

“He looks fine when he is running, no real reaction in the knee, which is very important. It obviously still takes time, but he’s in a good way – like Virg, Joel and Hendo.”

To Klopp’s relief, the Premier League champions have no fresh injury worries ahead of their trip to Leeds on Monday.

“No, nothing,” Klopp said. “No new ones.

“I only thought [about the question] because usually I always have some.”

Liverpool are sixth in the top flight heading into their meeting with Leeds, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham with a game in hand.