Liverpool have been preparing for the start of their Champions League campaign against Napoli with a training session at the club’s AXA Training Center on Tuesday afternoon.
The Reds were put through their paces ahead of their flight to Naples on Tuesday afternoon. Jurgen Klopp and Alisson Becker are due to speak to the media later on tonight.
Liverpool kick-off their 2022/23 Champions League campaign by facing the Serie A side before games against Ajax and Rangers. And ahead of Wednesday’s game, we have taken a look at four things you may have missed from the session.
READ MORE: Napoli director delivers Champions League verdict on 'struggling' Liverpool ahead of clash
READ MORE: Roberto Firmino speaks out on Darwin Nunez 'competition' and sends strong Liverpool message
Jones missing again
Curtis Jones was once again a notable absentee from the session, despite returning from a four week lay-off to feature on the bench against Newcastle United last Wednesday.
After being an unused substitute in the win at Anfield, Jones was then missing from the squad that was held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison Park at the weekend.
Jones featured heavily for the Reds during pre-season, and came off the bench during the Community Shield win over Manchester City. However, a knock then prevented him from appearing in the friendly defeat to RC Strasbourg at Anfield just a day later.
New training gear
Liverpool’s training attire once again caught the eye during their session at the AXA Training Centre.
Sporting their 'Purple Strike Elite' kit, the Reds’ players and staff once again looked the part, with the training attire recently receiving plenty of plaudits from supporters after Klopp wore the jacket to a pre-match press conference.
According to the club’s online store, the kit is made with advanced sweat-wicking fabric that is strategically placed in high-heat areas to help keep you cool and comfortable. A streamlined design creates a tailored fit that makes it easier for players to move while refining their game.
Arthur preparing for Italy return
New boy Arthur Melo was also present at the session as he prepares to return to Italy just under week after he left the country to move to Merseyside.
Liverpool last week completed a season-long loan deal for the midfielder after they made a late move for the Brazilian on transfer deadline day. The 26-year-old aids Klopp's midfield crisis after recent injuries.
The Brazilian became Liverpool's fourth summer signing after the arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho, and Calvin Ramsay earlier in the transfer window. Reds boss Klopp was keen to bring in further midfield reinforcements following Henderson’s injury against Newcastle.
Arthur, who is a defensive midfielder by trade, has been in and out of the Juventus team since joining in the summer of 2020, making 31 appearances last season of which 16 were starts. He has yet to feature this season and didn't take part in the Italian team's pre-season tour.
The Brazilian had previously spent two years at Barcelona where he featured as a late substitute in the famous 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat at Liverpool in May 2019. He was an unused substitute in the draw with Everton at the weekend and could come in for his Reds debut tomorrow night.
Young trio present
Also taking part in the session were the new faces of youngsters Isaac Mabaya, Stefan Bajcetic and Melkamu Frauendorf.
All could be part of the Reds’ travelling party and have all represented the club at under-23 level. Mabaya signed his first professional contract with the club last year and can play either in midfield or at right-back.
Mabaya played for the first-team in pre-season when he was included in the squad for the Asia tour and training camp in Austria. While Bajcetic joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in February 2021.
A versatile player, who can play at centre-back or in midfield, Bajcetic was included in the first-team squad for the pre-season tour of Asia earlier this summer after seeing his campaign cut short last season due to injury.
Frauendorf joined Liverpool in August 2020 from German side Hoffenheim and signed his first professional deal with the club in July 2021. An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Frauendorf was handed his Anfield debut when he came on as a substitute during the FA Cup third-round 4-1 win over Shrewsbury Town back in January.
READ MORE:
- Sadio Mane messages are beyond boring - Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have moved on
- Liverpool's reluctant hard man who Vinnie Jones feared more than anyone
- Liverpool set to be reunited with two former players as Diego Simeone's son to face Reds
- Jurgen Klopp told why he might have big concern over Liverpool summer signing
- Robbie Williams makes Man United claim about Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
