Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed striker Christian Benteke's return to fitness ahead of the Europa League tie against Villarreal.

The Belgian striker resumed first-team training this week after sitting out for a month with a knee ligament injury.

The Reds will play Villarreal in the first leg of Europa League semi-final at El Madrigal on Thursday night and Klopp is thrilled to have Benteke back at his disposal.

Klopp said: "The best news is that Christian is back. He's not had too many training sessions in the last few weeks but he's come back in the last few days.

"He's not in his best shape but he's in really good shape, that's for sure.

"For us, it's perfect that he's back - we only have players here in Villarreal who are ready to play a part in the game, there are no tourists. So, if we need him, we can use him."