Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that he has no injury concerns for Southampton’s clash with Liverpool this weekend, indicating that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is back to full fitness.

The skipper was forced to remain on the bench until the closing stages of last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Burnley, with James Ward-Prowse taking the captain’s armband and operating next to Oriol Romeu in central midfield.

However, it seems Hojbjerg is back in contention, with Hasenhuttl delivering a positive update on the condition of his squad. As quoted by the club’s official website, he said:

We have worked very hard in the last two days. Today [Thursday] we had a lighter session, they were a little bit tired today because we have worked hard but no injuries so far.

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Read Southampton’s verdict

It certainly comes as a big boost to see that Hojbjerg is back and in contention to play. He was a big miss at Burnley, and all too many times, the midfield was bypassed, with a lack of aggressive pressing hurting Saints.

Hojbjerg is likely to take back the captaincy and lead the team with a little more energy and drive. His presence is made all the more valuable for seeing the consequences of his absence, and he will be crucial if we are to get anything out of the Liverpool game.

Saints are underdogs in this one. It’s clear that the odds are stacked against us, but at St Mary’s and with a completely clean bill of health, there is no reason why we can’t give the Reds an incredibly uncomfortable afternoon, at the very least.

Would you bring Hojbjerg straight back into the line-up?

Yes

No