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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Four things spotted in Liverpool training as Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi punished

Liverpool are continuing to step up their preparations for the new campaign in their pre-season training camp.

The Reds are on the final leg having moved from Austria to the French town of Evian at the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp put his players through their paces on Tuesday morning as they build up to Thursday's friendly double-header against Bologna.

But what could be gleaned from the session?

READ MORE: VAR is set to undergo big changes this season

Thiago returns to action

Liverpool's numbers continue to be bolstered as they build up to the new season.

Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, who joined the camp at the weekend, took part in the session, with fellow Brazilian Alisson Becker working with the goalkeepers.

And there was a first sighting of Thiago Alcantara on the pitch at Evian after he returned last week following Euro 2020 duty with Spain.

Only Jordan Henderson, who will begin training on the squad's return to England later this week, and Ben Davies are missing from the senior set-up.

Van Dijk and Gomez continue

Klopp has vowed Liverpool will not rush Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as they build fitness after their respective lengthy absences.

But it remains encouraging the pair are able to continue working fully as part of the training group.

The duo again took part in the session with the delight of the defenders obvious as they joked with their team-mates.

Both are expected to feature for an extended period in Thursday's two 60-minute games against Bologna.

Salah and Origi targeted

Seasoned Liverpool observers are now well acquainted with the 'rondo' exercise, whether it be watching video clips from training or the substitutes warming up on-field before a match.

The latest rendition in Evian saw Gomez and Van Dijk in a group along with Roberto Firmino, Joel Matip, Mohamed Salah, Divock Origi and Naby Keita.

Matip backheeling the ball through the legs of Gomez prompted whoops of appreciation from his team-mates and a wry look from the England international.

And there was much joy when punishment for Salah and Origi involved the duo having their ears flicked vigorously by their colleagues.

Konate clapped

Ibrahima Konate has already admitted the sheer scale of hard work in the training camp is helping him sleep at night.

Small wonder. On Monday, Liverpool had a double session - the first concerning ball work and tactics, the second on physical fitness and lots and lots of running.

Konate, still getting up to speed with the energy levels required at Liverpool, was the last to finish the later session.

And it was a sign of the team spirit in the camp that his team-mates were all urging him on until the end.

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