Jurgen Klopp handed massive boost ahead of Crystal Palace with key defender returning to training

Liverpool defender Ibrahim Konate has returned to training days ahead of the trip to south London to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The defender watched on from the stands as Liverpool lost 5-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek -as he battled a hamstring issue that has kept him out of action since January 29.

There had been doubts as to whether he would be able to return for the game in London this weekend, but Konate gave his chances a real boost by returning to the pitch at Kirkby on Thursday afternoon.

The defender’s return will lift moods after fellow defender Joe Gomez looked to have picked up his own hamstring issues in the defeat to Real Madrid.

Liverpool have won their last eight visits to Selhurst Park and should be pumped for this game on Saturday, but it’s been a very challenging season for Klopp’s team its hard to tell if they can continue theirdominace over the Eagles.

Crystal Palace are also set to be without key man Wilfried Zaha who picked up a hamstring against Newcastle and has missed the club’s last three games, Vieira admitted his star man is not back in training.

The Ivory Coast international’s absence is a huge blow to the Eagles as he is their highest scorer and found the back of the net when these two teams met in the first round of the season.

Crystal Palace are coming off a 1-1 draw with Brentford and are still searching for their first league win of the campaign having drawn four and lost three of their last seven games in all competitions. Liverpool have won their last two league games and will looking to respond after the defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.