Joel Matip returns to training ahead of Liverpool's clash against Chelsea, Lallana remains in contention

Liverpool have received a major boost ahead of their game against Chelsea after Joel Matip returned to training on Thursday (23 November) after missing the last two games.

The Reds defender suffered a thigh injury last week and missed Liverpool's game against Southampton which they won 3-0 on Saturday (18 November), and was also absent for their 3-3 draw against Sevilla on Tuesday.

The Reds defence has been under heavy scrutiny this week following their capitulation against the La Liga outfit. Liverpool were leading 3-0 at the break but could not hold out for the win as Sevilla pegged them back with three strikes in the second-half.

Jurgen Klopp was incensed with his team's performance after the interval and will hope that they can put that behind them when Chelsea visit Anfield on Saturday (25 November). Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan were the manager's defensive pairing at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Matip's return will be a welcome boost for the manager, as he can now return to his preferred pairing for the game against the Blues. Joe Gomez was impressive at centre-back for England during the recent international break and it remains to be seen if Klopp will try out a back three, a formation being used by a number of managers in the Premier League at the moment.

Adam Lallana is another player close to making a return to the first-team after returning from a long-term thigh injury. The England international is yet to make an appearance this season after picking up the knock during Liverpool's pre-season commitments at the Audi Cup in Germany.

The former Southampton midfielder was included in the traveling squad to Spain, but failed to make the 18-man match day squad. Klopp is wary of rushing him into action, but after yet another training session, the manager could be tempted to name him on the bench against the Blues.