Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

Four things spotted in Liverpool training as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain present amid transfer links

Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with another day of training in Austria on Monday.

The Reds claimed their first win of pre-season on Friday after edging past Jurgen Klopp’s former club FSV Mainz 05.

Owen Beck's cross was turned into his own net by Luca Kilian late on to hand the Reds a 1-0 win in their third pre-season fixture of the summer.

Klopp’s side return to action against Hertha BSC on Thursday before returning to the UK for two home games against Athletic Club and CA Osasuna.

And here are four things we learned from the Reds' latest training session.

Change of venue

After just shy of two weeks in Salzburg, the Reds moved across Austria to Innsbruck to continue preparations for the new season.

Liverpool first trained at their new base in Tirol on Sunday before returning on Monday for another two sessions.

Thursday’s game against Hertha BSC will also take place in Innsbruck, with the Reds’ new venue a two-and-a-half hour drive from their first base of the tour.

Oxlade-Chamberlain all smiles

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was linked with a move to West Ham United on Monday, but the Liverpool midfielder was all smiles during training here.

The report claimed that Jurgen Klopp is willing to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer as he aims to reshape his squad for the new season.

The piece then went on to further claim that Hammers boss David Moyes is believed to be considering a possible loan bid for the former Arsenal midfielder.

The midfielder swapped the centre of the park for the centre of the attack whilst appearing in Roberto Firmino’s false nine position at times last season.

And speaking earlier this month the England international claimed that the role comes naturally to him in what many believed to be a hint at his boss.

There is no doubting that this is a big season for the 27-year-old after a number of injury problems over the last few seasons.

Another double session

Jurgen Klopp had already revealed before the camp started that his side would be undertaking daily double sessions as part of their summer training schedule.

But even though the Reds have now played three pre-season friendlies, the double sessions haven’t stopped with Monday consisting of a session in the morning then another in the evening.

The Reds have long been known for being one of the fittest sides in Europe, and if this summer’s training schedule is anything to go by then they will be keeping that tag this season.

Van Dijk getting ready

Klopp revealed on Monday that Virgil van Dijk could return to action against Hertha BSC on Thursday evening.

The Dutchman has been sidelined since suffering an ACL injury in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton last October following a challenge by Jordan Pickford.

As a result of surgery, Van Dijk was also forced to miss out on Euro 2020 this summer as he continued his rehabilitation with the Reds.

But a return to action is now on the cards for the centre-back and he was once again pictured taking part in full training along with his teammates.

Do you want an exclusive pre-season Liverpool preview - both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.