‘It’s a beautiful sight!’: Virgil van Dijk is overcome with emotion as Roberto Firmino returns to Liverpool training alongside Joe Gomez and Naby Keita after sustaining a hamstring injury back in November
- Roberto Firmino is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury
- He sustained the injury during Liverpool’s win over Atletico Madrid in November
- The 30-year-old was forced off at Anfield, having only played 27 minutes
- Reds manager Jurgen Klopp initially said that Firmino’s injury did ‘not look good’
- However, Firmino was seen back on the pitch with Joe Gomez and Naby Keita
- Virgil van Dijk referred to the trio’s return to the pitch as a ‘beautiful sight’
Roberto Firmino has returned to training after picking up a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in November.
Firmino was forced off the pitch during the Reds’ Champions League clash with Atletico at Anfield, having only played 27 minutes as a second-half substitute.
Liverpool have gone on to win six of their seven games in all competitions since the Brazil international was sidelined but his team-mates have expressed their excitement about seeing him back on the pitch.
Roberto Firmino has returned to Liverpool training after picking up a hamstring injury
Firmino has been out of action since suffering the injury against Atletico Madrid in November
Firmino was greeted by a delighted Jurgen Klopp, who will be pleased to have his No 9 back
Virgil van Dijk said it was a ‘beautiful sight’ to see him return to training following the injury
Manager Jurgen Klopp initially said that Firmino’s injury did ‘not look good’ and admitted his side could be without the 30-year-old for a prolonged period.
The Liverpool boss said: ‘We’ve known for two or three days it’s a serious injury.
‘We are talking about weeks, I don’t know exactly but more than four – which I would consider a serious injury. Then we have to see.
‘It is Bobby and he is quick healer it’s just usually before the international break you think they will be ready again after the international break then you take that but that it is not directly in the moment he will be ready again. So, no – it is not good.’
However, Firmino has returned to the pitch sooner than expected after being seen in pictured from Liverpool’s session on Thursday.
He was back on the training pitch with Joe Gomez and Naby Keita – who made their returns from injury off the bench against AC Milan on Tuesday night.
The rehab crew were greeted by Virgil van Dijk – who recently graduated from the not-so exclusive group following his horrific knee injury.
Naby Keita is also returning from injury and should be involved against Aston Villa at Anfield
Defender Joe Gomez sprints with the ball in training after coming off the bench at AC Milan
Speaking to the camera, the Dutchman said: ‘Bobby, Naby, Joe – beautiful. What a sight’.
It is thought Saturday’s home game with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa will come too soon for Firmino but Keita and Gomez are expected to be involved.
Prior to his injury, Firmino was on fine form – having scored six goals (including a hat-trick against Watford) during his 11 appearances for the Reds this season.
Firmino’s potential return will hand Klopp a major boost going into the festive period as he will be without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane during the Africa Cup of Nations.