Liverpool loan report: Luis Alberto returns to training for Deportivo after persistent groin issues

Liverpool loanee Luis Alberto has taken a big step towards returning to action for Deportivo de La Coruna having spent time at the Merseyside club's Melwood training ground to recover from a persistent groin injury. The La Liga side confirmed the midfielder has returned to Spain and could even train with his teammates ahead of the local derby with Celta Vigo on 21 November.

The 23-year-old enjoyed an impressive start to his spell at Deportivo, but saw his progress hampered after he was restricted to substitute appearances following the recurrence of a groin issue. The La Liga side reported earlier in November that they had sent the player back to Liverpool temporarily so they could address his injury.

Deportivo said the idea was to take advantage of the international break to let his parent club assess his problems, but refused to set a timeline on his recovery.

However, it now seems the recovery has gone swimmingly after the club reported on its website that Alberto has "taken another step forward" ahead of his return to action.

Alberto moved to Anfield in the summer of 2013 for around £6.8m ($10.3m) after impressing Brendan Rodgers during a season where he scored 11 goals the Barcelona B team. The Spaniard struggled to adapt to English football though and was sent on loan to Malaga last season to continue his development.

His season at Malaga did not convince Rodgers and over the summer he was loaned out again, this time to Deportivo, where prior to his injury he was showing signs of emerging into a top talent, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the opening 10 matches of the La Liga season.