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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool handed triple boost but four players missing from training

Liverpool will aim to continue their winning start to the season when they entertain Burnley on Saturday.

Victory extend the Reds' winning run to seven games having won their last five of the previous campaign to secure third place.

Jurgen Klopp put his players through their paces at Kirkby on Thursday afternoon ahead of the fixture.

But what could be gleaned from the session?

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp speaks out on offensive chants with strong message to Liverpool fans

Midfield duo absent

James Milner and Fabinho began the season by sharing the responsibility in defensive midfield at Norwich City last weekend.

Milner started the game as the number six and then shifted to a more advanced role once Fabinho was introduced shortly after the hour.

Neither, though, could be spotted during the session on Thursday, although it's understood their absence is of no major concern to Liverpool.

With Burnley no doubt ready to mix it in midfield as always, the Reds would benefit from both being available.

Henderson and Thiago make step

There were at least some encouraging signs for Liverpool's engine room at the AXA Training Centre.

Both Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara once again took full part in the session as they build up their fitness having been among the last players to resume training in pre-season.

The duo were not considered ready to feature at Carrow Road and instead played in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa in Sunday's practice match at Anfield.

They will now be hopeful of at least bench duty at the weekend.

Joe Go-mez

It has been a long, hard road to recovery for Joe Gomez, who hasn't featured in the first team since suffering a serious knee injury while on England duty last November.

The centre-back was on the bench against Norwich, but was missing from team training sessions earlier in the week.

A relief, then, to see Gomez back out on the field at Kirkby seemingly without any issues.

Fellow central defenders Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams were also involved.

Wanted duo not spotted

There were some other absentees from the session, however.

Xherdan Shaqiri hasn't been seen since Liverpool returned to England from their pre-season training camp, with Lyon still heading the race for his signature.

And Ben Woodburn was also not involved amid speculation over his future.

Scottish side Hearts are heading a queue of clubs wanting to take the player on loan for the season.

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