Liverpool could call upon Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure for Arsenal visit

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has received a boost with the return to contention of defensive duo Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure for Wednesday's visit of Arsenal.

The Reds have been hit hard by injury issues at the back recently, with the pair previously joining Joe Gomez, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, and Jon Flanagan in the treatment room. Sakho and Toure nearing fitness has come in a timely manner given the form of the table-topping Gunners.

"The situation now is better than two or three days before," Klopp told reporters. "I think Kolo will be available so we will have one senior centre-back. Mama wants to be available and hopefully we can use him. Martin (Skrtel) is still a few weeks (away)."

A notable exclusion from Klopp's list of available central defenders was Tiago Ilori, who was visibly exhausted when withdrawn at Exeter City on Friday, while the latest target for Lovren is to return for the hosting of bitter rival Manchester United on Sunday.

Elsewhere in the Reds' formation, midfielder and skipper Jordan Henderson is expected to return to the starting lineup after overcoming a heel injury which forced him to miss three matches.