Liverpool were handed a major boost last week as Nathaniel Clyne made a return to training. Though Clyne is training again, there is still more preparation that needs to be done before he can return to full training. The 26-year-old has not played all season due to a back injury, for which he underwent a surgery in November.
Manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Clyney is back. Of course, it is absolutely too early to think about him. But he is back in normal training, so that’s cool.
“He’s been training for two days but after that long of a break, it will take time until he is able to play.”
The right-back was named in our Champions League squad for the knockout stages and was pictured with his teammates during the training camp in Marbella last week.
Even though Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have proven themselves to be worthy of first-team football during the absence of Clyne, the pacy Englishman is a welcome addition to the side and will provide some much-needed experience, maturity and quality to our side ahead of the crucial last few months of the campaign.
Gomez has been receiving more game time than Alexander-Arnold and the trio will now have to compete for a place. In addition, they will also have to compete for a place in Gareth Southgate’s final 23-man England squad that will travel to the world cup in Russia during the summer.
We play against West Ham on Saturday and this will be too early for Clyne as he still needs to get back to full fitness after missing so many months of action.
It has been a difficult period of time for Clyne who was a first-team regular prior to his injury. His last appearance came on the final day of last season as we secured a victory over Middlesbrough to ensure that we finished in the top four of the Champions League.
The fans reacted to Clyne’s return from injury and here are some of the best tweets we came across.
Great news but not for Gomez & Trent
— James Hughes (@jameshughes1975) February 13, 2018
We should sell Clyne
— Andy (@AndyTheRed83) February 13, 2018
You.mean he’s paid his strap bill
— Joseph (@josephd86) February 13, 2018
Best news ever bye bye Gomez you joke of a right back
— crogLFC (@CROGLFC) February 13, 2018
Some will say, “Nathaniel Clyne is the mystery signing we, Liverpool supporters have been all waiting for.”
— Shafayat Khan (@heavymetalpress) February 13, 2018
Great to see Clyne on his way back – we’ve missed him!
— Annfield (@AnfieldAnn) February 13, 2018
Finally. Missed him, he’s class.
— Jimmy Stewart (@jimmystewart8_8) February 13, 2018
