5 things spotted in Liverpool training as Alexander Isak ready and Andy Robertson cracks jokes

Liverpool held an open media session on Tuesday as the team puts in their final preparations before the PSG encounter in the Champions League

Five things spotted from Tuesday's open Liverpool training

Liverpool trained as usual ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain, and despite the furore surrounding the team’s performances at present, there was a sense of calm among the players at the AXA Training Centre.

Admittedly, it’s hard to glean much of an insight from the 15 minutes that are open to media, but there was no palpable tension or nerves among the Liverpool first team - even Arne Slot was in good spirits, and jokingly remonstrated with Cody Gakpo when the winger accidentally kicked the ball against his fellow Dutchman during a training drill.

Liverpool.com was among the media outlets at Kirkby on Tuesday — and here are five things we spotted.

Who was there?

The big question as always: was anyone missing? Well, other than those who are struggling with long-term issues, everyone was present and accounted for. That included Calvin Ramsay, even though the young right-back is not eligible to play in European competitions and typically misses these training sessions.

Youngsters Kornel Misciur, Trey Nyoni, and Kieran Morrison were involved in the 23-man group, all of whom will likely be in the squad that flies to Paris on Tuesday night.

Alexander Isak trained ahead of the PSG game and could make his return in Paris

Alexander Isak’s return?

All eyes were drawn to Alexander Isak at the start of training — one camera operator could be heard muttering “second row” to a colleague scanning the sea of green training tops.

The striker has not been seen in an open Champions League session since before his December leg break, although he did return to full training last week. After missing out on the squad that traveled to Manchester City, PSG is likely to be his much-anticipated comeback.

Winds of change?

Many of these open training sessions have taken place in dank, grey conditions over the winter and early spring months. But approaching mid-April, the bright, sunny afternoon was a reminder to Slot that the seasons are changing and the end of the 2025/26 campaign is rapidly approaching.

The Liverpool head coach desperately needs his fortunes to switch alongside the weather. To stretch this analogy further, perhaps the strong gusts of wind that swirled around the AXA Training Centre were a reminder that, despite the squad’s sunny disposition, all is not quite as it seems.

Arne Slot seemed in relaxed spirits during Tuesday's training

Much-needed intensity

If there was one overriding criticism to emerge from Saturday’s defeat at the Etihad, it was the lack of passion and work on display. Maybe it’s no coincidence then that the session put on for the cameras was brimming with intense sprints and battles for possession.

Hungarian teammates Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai jumped into a possession drill with such enthusiasm that assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff had to order both to retake their starting positions.

Cue mock calls of encouragement from joker Andy Robertson, but he — like the rest of the team — zipped the ball around with the sort of energy that will be needed at the Parc des Princes. Replicating that on Wednesday is another matter, though.

A 24th player?

Such was the commitment to the keep-ball activity that Ryan Gravenberch jokingly kicked a ball away in anger after coming out on the losing side. It rolled perfectly over to where the row of cameras was assembled and landed perfectly at the feet of one reporter. Unsure what to do, she opted against trying to pass it back to the Dutch midfielder — a wise choice, given all eyes had followed the ball’s trajectory.