In the midst of Liverpool's remarkable start to the Premier League season, it is easy to forget that they are still without one of their most important players.
Their seven game winning run has seen summer recruit Adrian take up the goalkeeping duties, with first choice stopper Alisson Becker lasting less than a half of their season opener before being withdrawn due to injury. He has been absent ever since.
Adrain has played well, that horrific mistake against Southampton aside. He has made some important saves, most recently in the narrow 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at the weekend.
Despite this Liverpool fans eagerly await the return of their Brazilian goalkeeper. It appears that it may not be too far away.
The Liverpool Echo are reporting that Alisson is set to train with the goalkeeping coach at Melwood today, with a view to reintroducing him to the normal training later this week. If all goes to plan, he could return for Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford on October 20th.
The games this week against Salzburg and Leicester City have come too early for the player, but with an international break next week, the clash with Manchester United seems the ideal time to return.
Liverpool have a pretty poor record at Old Trafford, with Jurgen Klopp failing to win on any of his visits to the ground. In fact, the last time Liverpool won their was in March of 2014. Considering the contrasting form of these two sides at the minute, they may not get a better opportunity to put that record to bed.
Alisson's return would certainly be a boost for that fixture, even if Adrian has acquitted himself well. Klopp hinted a couple of days ago that the player was close to a return:
Alisson is in a good way. Yesterday, not with us but with the goalie coaches, [he had] a full session. He is getting closer and closer.
We will have to see now, we have to talk to the medical department. Ali looks like he is close but the final work is with the medical department because we have to ask how it is exactly.
