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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Four things spotted in Liverpool training as Ibrahima Konate conversation offers clue

Liverpool have been busy gearing up for their Champions League clash against AC Milan.

The Reds take on the Serie A giants at Anfield on Wednesday night in their first group game of the competition this season.

Jurgen Klopp has had the players in training on Tuesday as they prepare for their first meeting with Milan since the 2007 final in Athens.

The club posted a live video of the players taking part in light training drills, and there have also been photos emerge from the session.

Here is what we spotted ahead of another enthralling Champions League night at Anfield.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp makes Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi claim amid Liverpool contract talks

Youngsters involved

Klopp is never afraid to give young players an opportunity to play for the first team, and there’s a chance that could happen against Milan.

Kaide Gordon and Conor Bradley took part in first-team training on Tuesday, and could be involved in the matchday squad to face Milan.

While the chances of either of the pair featuring against Milan are slim, the fact that Klopp wants them around the group shows the trust that is being placed in the young talents.

Minamino returns

One player who suffered an injury during the international break was Takumi Minamino.

He picked up an ankle injury during his time with Japan, leading him to return to Merseyside early from international duty.

That led to Minamino being left on the sidelines, but it appears that he has recovered well enough to return to training.

Minamino was pictured taking part in training, and will be pushing to be part of the squad on Wednesday night.

Firmino still absent

While Minamino has handed Liverpool an injury boost, there is still one player who is yet to return.

Roberto Firmino was not present with the squad for training, as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered before the international break.

It kept him out of action against Leeds at the weekend, and the Brazilian looks set to miss Liverpool’s Champions League opener against Milan.

The club are yet to put any kind of timeframe of when they expect Firmino to return to full fitness.

Klopp chat with Konate

Liverpool only made one signing in the summer and that was Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

The centre-back was brought in to add further depth to the centre of the Reds’ defence following the injury problems which the club suffered last season.

Thanks to the form of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, Konate is still waiting to make his competitive debut for Liverpool.

Klopp was pictured having a conversation with Konate during training, so maybe the manager has a plan to use the centre-back against Milan in some capacity.

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