Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been spotted taking part in team training ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown at home against Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old emerged as a doubt for the mouth-watering contest at Anfield after picking up what was described by manager Jurgen Klopp as a "painful" shoulder issue in the 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle United on Saturday.
Nunez, who opened the scoring for the Reds at St James' Park, was forced off just before the hour mark following a collision with Newcastle's Kieran Trippier.
"The most negative thing was that Darwin [Nunez] had to go off," Klopp told Sky Sports after the match. "We have to see how serious that is – hopefully not too much.
"We will see. He had to go off with a shoulder issue. We need further assessment. At the moment it's painful. Hopefully it is just painful."
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Klopp has since provided a positive update on Nunez's condition, telling reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday that "there's a chance" the Uruguayan will play against Los Blancos.
"From all the possible scenarios, apart from being absolutely nothing; that's not the case," Klopp added. "We have to see how he can deal with the pain [and] when we know that, we make a decision."
Since Klopp's press conference, Liverpool have posted images on Twitter of Nunez taking part in training with his teammates at the AXA Training Centre.
Nunez, who arrived at Anfield from Benfica over the summer, has notched up 11 goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, including three strikes in his last three Champions League games.
Elsewhere on the injury front, the Reds will be without Luis Diaz (knee), Ibrahima Konate (hamstring), Thiago Alcantara (hip) and Calvin Ramsay (knee) for Tuesday's clash, the latter of whom is set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery last week.
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However, Klopp has been boosted by the return of Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, who both made cameo appearances off the substitutes' bench in the win at Newcastle after spells out with calf injuries.
Juventus loanee Arthur, who has endured a frustrating season with injuries, has taken part in a number of training sessions since recovering from a thigh issue and he could also be involved in the matchday squad.
As for current Champions League holders Real Madrid – who beat Liverpool in last season's final – they will be without the services of key midfield duo Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni due to illness.
Ferland Mendy and Mariano Diaz are also sidelined due to injury, while star striker Karim Benzema is available for selection after missing Real Madrid's 2-0 La Liga win over Osasuna with muscle fatigue.
Oliver Thomas
