Liverpool were back in training at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday ahead of flying out to Amsterdam for their Champions League clash away at Ajax.
If the Reds avoid defeat in the Netherlands, they will have qualified for this season’s knockout stages with a game to spare. However, they will have to perform a whole lot better than they did in Saturday lunch time’s 1-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest.
Jurgen Klopp was handed a boost ahead of the trip to Ajax as Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate both took part in the latest session after returning from injury, and should be available on Wednesday night. However, Thiago Alcantara was missing as he continues to suffer with an ear infection, while Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain ineligible for European competition despite their own returns from injury.
With the ECHO’ s Theo Squires in attendance at the open training session, here’s what else was spotted at the AXA Training Centre…
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Salah and Tsimikas say sorry
After seeing Dejan Lovren depart for Zenit St. Petersburg in 2020, Mohamed Salah has found a new 'bestie' at Liverpool in Kostas Tsimikas.. The pair's friendship is well-known, with the two of them as thick as thieves in training sessions, at the AXA Training Centre and when travelling with the squad.
As a result, it was no surprise to see them pair up when the balls came out for passing exercises in their latest training session. Though the Greek needs to be a little more careful!
With the coaching team, including Klopp, watching on from the middle of the pitch, one wayward past from the left-back flew wide of Salah and into the back of elite development coach Vitor Matos. The Egyptian would chuckle before apologising to the coach along with Tsimikas, and continuing with the exercise.
Van Dijk disgusted
It wasn't just Tsimikas who was a little wayward in training, with Virgil van Dijk left disgusted himself after partnering up with Joe Gomez when the balls came out.
He failed to control one pass from the England international, and his displeasure was clear as the ball bounced off his foot rolled off the pitch towards Reds press officer Matt McCann. He'd pass it back to the Dutchman, to fire back towards Gomez, as he made sure to hit the target with each of their remaining passes.
Thiago replaced in more ways than one
With Thiago missing again because of an ear infection, Jordan Henderson is likely to start in Amsterdam on Wednesday night after being benched against Nottingham Forest. Yet the Liverpool captain was also replacing the Spaniard in other ways in training on Tuesday.
With Nunez back involved after injury, Henderson partnered up with the striker for some of the exercises. In the past it has been Thiago looking after the forward and offering his translation skills as a native Spanish speaker.
One doubts Nunez can understand his captain as easily, but at least the Liverpool captain continues to help the £64m striker settle.
Class clown
You could forgive Liverpool for feeling sorry for themselves in training this week after Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest. Fortunately, they have Andy Robertson in their ranks to help raise spirits.
The Scotland international's booming voice and wisecracks could be heard as the Reds warmed up, much to the amusement of his team-mates. The Reds' form this season is no laughing matter but at least the squad remain in good spirits as they look to return to winning ways.
Youngsters involved
With a number of senior names unavailable to face Ajax, Liverpool unsurprisingly had a handful of youngsters training with the first team on Tuesday ahead of potential matchday squad appearances in Amsterdam.
Yet to make his Reds debut because of injury, Calvin Ramsay was again training with the first team after coming through two appearances for the Under-21s unscathed. The Scotland youth international could be in line to make only his second matchday squad appearance as a result after stepping up his return.
Meanwhile, Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers and Melkamu Frauenedorf were also all present, though their own involvement tomorrow will depend on if they feature for the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League or not.
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