Wayne Veysey

Wed 4 May 2016 16:15, UK

By North-west correspondent Alex Stevens

Emre Can and Divock Origi have given Liverpool a Europa League double boost ahead of the team’s showdown against Villarreal.

Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Can will return to the Liverpool squad for Thursday’s semi-final, second-leg clash at Anfield.

Origi is also on the comeback trail and is hopeful of playing again in the domestic season as he targets a place in the Europa League final on 18 May should Liverpool go all the way in the competition.

Origi is currently sidelined with an ankle problem he picked up during the 4-0 Merseyside derby defeat of Everton.

There were concerns that he had suffered severe ligament damage in the immediate aftermath of the match, but the injury isn’t as bad as initially feared.

“It’s progressing well,” Origi told the Liverpool website. “It’s been ten days now so I try and improve every day and make steps, we just try and [ensure that] I’m back as quick as possible.

“For example, yesterday and today I feel a big difference, with these injuries it can evolve everyday and we put in a lot of work.”

“I come into [Melwood] very early and I leave in the evening, so we [work] a lot of hours, but I think that’s necessary because I want to come back as soon as possible.”

He added: “Of course, I believe [I can return before the end of the season].

“My goal is to come back as soon as possible and I just want to go back on the pitch. I think it’s possible but you never know.”

Origi was just picking up form when injury struck, netting five times in five games, including two in Liverpool’s crucial two-legged Europa League win over Borussia Dortmund.