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After consecutive 3-0 defeats in the Premier League, Liverpool will hope that the Champions League can offer some respite on Wednesday with the visit of PSV.
The Eredivisie leader beat the Reds in the group phase of last season's competition, but that was a dead rubber for Liverpool and Arne Slot's side topped the standings regardless after he made wholesale changes. This time, there is much more on the line — not least injecting some confidence after another morale-sapping performance at the weekend.
Ahead of the clash at Anfield, Liverpool undertook an open training session in Kirkby. This is what we spotted as it took place on matchday minus one.
Florian Wirtz still missing
There were four Liverpool players absent from today's open session, with none of them surprising. Florian Wirtz, Arne Slot said on Friday, should not be out for long, but he wasn't involved here.
Neither were right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, as expected, and long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni. Everyone else appeared to be present and correct.
Wirtz has excelled in the Champions League at times, most notably against Real Madrid. It appears that he will miss out here, though, which is a blow as he continues to adapt to life in England.
Joe Gomez trains
Missing out on a few training sessions last week and then not involved against Nottingham Forest (remaining on the bench) as a result, Joe Gomez was in action here.
The defender could get the chance to come into the starting XI this midweek, either at center-back or right-back. Gomez can play either role and Ibrahima Konate has been unconvincing of late.
If he does start, Gomez is unlikely to get the full 90 minutes, given he has played so little in the last few months. Having him here, though, is a boost nonetheless, with so few other options.
Arne Slot all smiles
Undoubtedly, there is pressure on Arne Slot to get results at the moment, but he was all smiles here as he led the session. Virgil van Dijk said over the weekend that the players have been letting him down lately, but they will be determined to put that right.
In Europe is where Liverpool has looked most comfortable so far this season. Without the need to defend long balls, set-pieces and throw-ins every few minutes, the Reds have looked much more like their usual selves, even in some big fixtures.
Slot has some major calls to make in the next few weeks — Hugo Ekitike was involved here and should start tomorrow, for instance — but there should remain confidence that he is the right man. Sooner rather than later, things must turn.
Young players involved
Among the group that trained ahead of the PSV game were Kaide Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and some other youngsters. Some of those should feature in the U19s clash in the UEFA Youth League.
James Norris was also present after returning from his loan spell in Shelbourne, while Calvin Ramsay was spotted, though he isn't eligible for the Champions League.
While things are going badly, Liverpool will have to stick with the more senior options. If Slot's men can get another couple of wins on the board in Europe, though, perhaps a few young talents could get a chance on matchday eight again.
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