By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

9th Mar, 2023 | 6:45am

Sources: Liverpool make Luis Diaz comeback call ahead of Bournemouth clash

Luis Diaz is unlikely to return to the Liverpool squad for Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth, sources have told Football Insider.

It has been suggested that the Colombian might come into contention for a place on the bench when the Reds head to the south coast in the Premier League this weekend.

However, Football Insider understands that Diaz had yet to resume full team training as of Wednesday and, as such, is not expected to feature.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in a 3-2 defeat to league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium back in October.

He was originally scheduled to return following the mid-season World Cup in Qatar but suffered a setback during Liverpool’s December training camp in Dubai and has remained out of action since.

Diaz recently stepped up his recovery by resuming running outside and has been involved in warm-ups with his teammates at the club’s Kirkby training ground.

That seemed to bode well for the target set by Klopp of a return to full team training this week.

Speaking late last month, the German said: “I think it is estimated maybe warming up next week with the team and stuff like this and then, maybe a week later, being in team training. That would be cool.

“You always have to wait. As I said, today I saw it – a very intense session with a lot of changes of direction and stuff like this. If there is no reaction to that and he can make the next step then I think he is not too far away.”

But it is understood that Diaz did not take part on Wednesday and, with just two days’ training left until Liverpool face Bournemouth, a return would come as a major surprise.

The Reds’ medical staff are understandably keen to take a patient approach with a player whose rehabilitation has already been delayed by re-injury.

Consequently, Diaz’s involvement against Real Madrid on March 15 also remains in doubt even should he play a full part in training in the coming days.

With Liverpool’s subsequent trip to Fulham postponed and an international break to follow, a trip to Manchester City on April 1 could well be viewed as a more ideal comeback fixture.

In other news, Football Insider updates as Liverpool plot “huge” free transfer.