Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota provides his team a timely boost in their title hunt.
The Reds dropped to third after defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, with Manchester City moving into a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
However, the performance by Alexander-Arnold in the Europa League second leg win over Atalanta has offered hope.
The defender was making his first start since mid-February after a knee injury. And while Jota has yet to have the same impact in three substitute appearances after a similar two-month lay-off, the clinical nature of his game could offset some of the deficiencies in the forward line.
"We need Trent Alexander-Arnold, of course, but we need him in a really good shape and form and that's what he has to get up to," said Klopp ahead of the trip to Fulham on Sunday.
"It's not about him and it's not his fault if he wouldn't be, it's just the situation. So how quick can we get him rolling if you want - the same for Diogo.
"We have to find a way to help the boys in the best way, to bring them as quick as possible into their best form or shape and from there we have to go.
"Without them we wouldn't have a chance. With them we have a chance, with them in a really good football moment the chance gets bigger and bigger."
Meanwhile, Klopp said Liverpool must show hunger to get their season back on track after a bruising period saw them lose their Premier League lead and exit the Europa League.
The Merseysiders ended a three-game winless run in all competitions with a 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Thursday but it was not enough to keep them in the European competition after a 3-0 thrashing in their quarter-final first leg at Anfield.
That result was sandwiched between a 2-2 Premier League draw at Manchester United and a shock 1-0 defeat at home against Palace.
Atalanta v Liverpool ratings
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ATALANTA RATINGS: Sent wrong way by Salah for Liverpool’s early penalty. Good block at feet of Diaz who was through on goal. Somewhat surprising he was not tested more as Liverpool waned as attacking threat longer game went on. AP -
Sliding interception on Salah pass from Albanian international denied Diaz almost certain goal. Near calamitous header back past won keeper but Atalanta managed to scramble clear was only blemish on fine performance. AP -
Swedish centre-half picked up yellow card for blocking through-ball with his hand that Liverpool felt should have been red. Atalanta were magnificent defensively and Hien was central to that. AP -
Former Arsenal defender returned from injury was superb at back as Atalanta kept Liverpool big guns such as Salah, Diaz and Jota very quiet. Getty Images -
Ex-Chelsea wingback was impressive down right, setting up chances for likes of Koopmeiners and Scamacca and generally provided important outlet down his flank. AFP -
Atalanta captain was back in midfield after covering in defence in first leg but final ball lacking at times. Kept pressure on Liverpool when away side were in possession, which was majority of game. Reuters -
Brazilian midfielder, who scored against Verona at the weekend, could have made it 1-1 just after break but could only side-foot shot straight at keeper. Energetic presence in middle of park and was slight surprise he was taken off second half. EPA -
Wingback conceded early penalty when ball certainly hit his arm but how much he could do about it is another matter. Never stopped running up and down left flank. PA -
Had ball in net just before break after smashing past Alisson but had been caught offside. Saw low strike saved by Allison on the hour mark. Booked for cynical foul on Mac Allister. Getty Images) -
Touch let him down when in on goal after strike partner Sacamacca dinked ball through. Sent low shot wide of target when well placed in first half. PA -
The two-goal hero at Anfield and Atalanta’s top-scorer never had sniff of adding to that until 68th minute when he fired over from Zappacosta cross. Some nice touches and worked hard without much impact. AFP -
SUBS: (On for Ederson 75’) Scorer of vital third goal at Anfield given 15 minute cameo. Reuters -
(On for Scamacca 75’) Belgian forward brought on for tiring Italian to help see out match. Getty Images -
(On for Miranchukn 79’) Reuters -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Faced no shots on target in first half although was usual reliable self coming off line quickly to sweep up through-balls. Regulation saves after break, although was one decent stop down low to deny Koopmeiners. EPA -
First start since February. His cross led to handball and early penalty that Salah finished in style. Not his usual threat with crossing and ran out of steam in second half. PA -
Liverpool were not really tested at back as they dominated in terms of possession and chances. But what little Atalanta threw at Konate, the big Frenchman dealt with comfortably. Getty Images -
Brushed off having dislocated finger pushed back in early on and didn’t give the dangerous Scamacca much of look in at Stadio di Bergamo. EPA -
Scottish left-back had little problem defensively although Liverpool are still waiting for the return the assist machine of previous seasons. AFP -
On a night when Liverpool needed one of the Argentine’s blistering finishes, the opportunity just never arose here. Also, the incisive final ball from Liverpool’s midfield deserted them, particularly in desperately disappointing second half. PA -
Hit swerving strike too close to goalkeeper who gathered well as Liverpool looked to build on early goal. Not enough impact from Hungarian from then on and no massive shock when brought off in second half. PA -
Neat, tidy and rarely wasted possession. But Liverpool needed defence-splitting passes that never appeared if they were to have any chance of turning around a three-goal deficit. EPA -
Drilled seventh-minute penalty into bottom corner to give Liverpool hope. Should have made it 2-0 before half-time but lobbed wide with keeper stranded. That proved key moment as Egyptian disappeared in second half. EPA -
One beautiful flick through Atalanta defence to put Diaz through on goal and was his ball over top that Salah should have scored from. Liverpool needed goals, though, and Gakpo never looked like scoring himself. PA -
Almost put Liverpool 2-0 up but keeper came flying out to block at his feet. Booked for arguing Hien should have seen red not yellow for handball. Unusually quiet game, though, from Colombian. PA -
SUBS: (On for Diaz 66’) Has good scoring record in competition but no hint he would add to that in Bergamo. Reuters -
(On for Salah 66’) No impact from Uruguayan as Klopp’s triple attacking change failed to have desired effect. Reuters -
(On for Szoboszlai 66’) Barely figured after coming on. Getty Images -
(On for Alexander-Arnold 72’) Slotted in at back with no problems. Getty Images -
(On for Robertson 79’) PA
"We have to make sure we become that opponent for each team again (that) they don't want to play against. We made it a bit too easy for three teams in a row and we should change that," Klopp told reporters.
"I'm absolutely positive after a day off and processing the things properly. I'm more than happy with the situation we are in," he added when asked if his side could bounce back after their exit from Europe.
Also, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is determined to help his players finish the season well and achieve Champions League qualification and Europa Conference League glory.
Villa are currently leading Spurs in the race for the Premier League top four with five games to go, starting with the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday.
They also have Chelsea, Liverpool and Brighton to play and their chances of success are complicated by their run to the last four of the Conference League.
Emery said: "I am very happy with the players we have and I want to give them chances to play.
"In different ways this year, every player has an opportunity to play and I want to get the best of them from now until the end of the season.
"We are going to play a semi-final and the last five matches in the Premier League trying to get a Champions League position, trying to be demanding with our way in the Europa Conference League, playing for a final."
