Mo Salah looks set to hand Liverpool a major boost ahead of Saturday’s fixture with Brentford.

The Egyptian has not featured for the Reds since scoring a brace against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day. He picked up an injury at the African Cup of Nations but is now set to return to the squad.

As well as Salah, manager Jürgen Klopp confirmed he will welcome back a number of players for Saturday’s lunchtime kick off. He said: “Mo is back in full training. That brings him automatically in contention, of course.

“Ibou [Konaté] is not suspended any more, Joe [Gomez] is fit again, Conor [Bradley] is back, Ali [Becker] is back, so that’s all positive.”

There was less cause for positivity over the fitness of Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Klopp described the situation as ‘serious’ and is set to be without two of this season’s star performers for the next two league fixtures.

Hungary captain Szoboszlai is a major doubt for next weekend’s EFL Cup Final against Chelsea with Alexander-Arnold also ruled out.

Klopp said: “People think now about the final, which is fine, absolutely, but before the final we have Brentford and Luton and actually I didn’t think a second about the final.

“I would say ‘not sure’ Dom has a chance for the final, but maybe, and Trent will probably be after.”

The departing boss was quick to snuff out any suggestion that both players were rushed back into first team action too quickly. Both have suffered recurrences of recent injuries, leading to frustration from fans.

The club’s medical team received the full backing of the manager, who said: “There was a discussion about ‘we might have forced Trent back’ because [of] two setbacks. That’s true, and it’s really unfortunate, and nobody wants that, and nobody’s doing that.

“Different cases, different scenarios anyway, and as long as I am here, we never forced anybody back.”

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has been talked about as a possible candidate for the Liverpool job. Klopp was full of praise for the west London side. He said: “Very good on the counterattack, very brave in these moments. [They] have the speed and a clear idea  – well coached team.

“If you want to win at Brentford, you definitely have to be at your best. It’s a really smart coached team.”

Liverpool have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. Brentford sit six points above the relegation zone following a good win away at Wolves last weekend.

Jürgen Klopp is yet to taste victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, something he will be desperate to put right tomorrow lunchtime.

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