Borini and Kelly fitness update
Liverpool duo Fabio Borini and Martin Kelly are making significant progress in their injury rehabilitation, according to head of performance Glen Driscoll.
The Italian recently required an operation after dislocating his shoulder against Swansea in February, while Kelly has been sidelined since last September with an ACL rupture affecting his right knee.
Driscoll explained that both players are enjoying positive results on their comeback trail and pointed to Steven Gerrard as a particular inspiration for defender Kelly.
"Martin is doing extremely well; he's probably at the late stage of his rehab," Driscoll told Liverpoolfc.com on Thursday.
"We'll probably look to prioritise getting him back for pre-season 110 per cent fit - 10 per cent fitter, stronger and quicker, more powerful and agile than he was previously.
"He'll probably be in a position where it will be tempting to put him into games again this season. But it will show class and quality if we make sure that he's in a very strong position so he can fly next season.
"Martin should look at what Steven Gerrard has achieved this season; people would never have considered that he would be available for a full campaign.
"He should take great hope from that and know that if he continues to work and continues his professionalism, hopefully the future is bright. We hope to give him every chance.
"He's someone who has definitely benefited from the collaboration of the whole medical department. It's been a really great team effort, where maybe a dozen medical staff members have come together and collaborated.
"We like to encourage the whole department to have an opinion and that helps us come together and guide the player in the right direction.
"Martin has almost been a showcase for the quality of our medical science department. He's getting the best of all our staff and it's going very well."
Borini has suffered two long-term absences from the first team this season, but Driscoll believes the forward could return before the campaign concludes.
He added: "Fabio Borini was outside for the first time today, so he's starting that progression - passing balls, running and doing ball work. He's due to be probably another six weeks from this point on.
"The injury he's had is normally eight to 12 weeks. He's quite a quick rehabilitator.
"At the moment, it's looking pretty positive for Fabio that he could be back ahead of schedule and maybe make the end of the season."