5 things spotted in Liverpool training as one star returns but five players missing

Liverpool trained in Kirkby ahead of facing Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, with Ibrahima Konate returning but five players absent for Arne Slot

Arne Slot emerges for a Liverpool training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Ibrahima Konate returned to Liverpool training today ahead of the Reds taking on Newcastle United, though Arne Slot still has a couple of big decisions to make ahead of that clash.

"[Jeremie Frimpong] will definitely not be in the squad tomorrow, so he is out for a few weeks," Slot said in his pre-match press conference. "But [it’s] not as bad as we thought he would be out. It’s something positive from something not so positive. Joe [Gomez] will not be available but that doesn’t have to take much longer anymore, but he will not be available for the weekend."

With Gomez still absent, Konate could come straight back into the starting XI. He was among those who took part in the session that took place on Friday and this is what we spotted.

Ibrahima Konate returns

Following the passing of his father, French center-back Konate was back with his teammates here and he is expected to be available for selection in the weekend's game.

"Ibou trained with us yesterday and trains with us today and will be in the squad tomorrow," Arne Slot had already confirmed.

Konate was snapped in the gym and then in the rondos and other exercises out on the grass. Given the lack of options at center-back, his return is a big boost for Liverpool and he looked in good spirits here.

Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate emerge for a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Curtis Jones back but Joe Gomez missing

Missing from the squad that hammered Qarabag in the Champions League midweek, Curtis Jones was back here after recovering from illness. Given today is his birthday, that he is feeling better will have come as a relief.

Offering another option in midfield, Jones could line up alongside Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch in the center of the field. That would allow Dominik Szoboszlai to move across to right-back, where he would be a better option to come up against Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes than Wataru Endo.

Gomez, as mentioned, won't be involved this weekend and he was absent. Having been clattered into by his own goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, at Bournemouth, he shouldn't be out for long, but has been unfortunate once again.

Along with long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, plus Frimpong, who will be out for a few weeks, that makes five players missing in total.

Curtis Jones during a training Liverpool session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah all smiles

Scoring a great goal in Europe midweek — his first since the start of November for Liverpool — Mohamed Salah looked in a great mood here. Newcastle beware.

Salah looked sharp against Qarabag, but this will be a very different test of exactly where he is up to. If he continues where he left off, that would be perfect, but Lewis Hall is in great form at the moment.

The Magpies will certainly not give Salah as much space and time to work in as the Azerbaijani champions did a few days ago. It is in the Premier League that we will get a true gauge.

Mohamed Salah during a training Liverpool session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Calvin Ramsay involved

Liverpool U21s face Brighton a little later on today, but Calvin Ramsay looks set to be on the bench for the first team instead of being involved in that game.

The Scotland right-back is highly unlikely to get on the pitch — Slot made clear that he has several other options ahead of Ramsay in the pecking order — but the injury to Jeremie Frimpong means needs must.

Ramsay will help fill out the bench at Anfield. It would probably take another couple of absences before he was considered for a role more substantial than that.

(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

Arne Slot watches on

There is no doubt that Slot is under pressure at Liverpool. Though he showed no signs here, he has admitted himself as much lately, and the results and performances — even after a 6-0 victory on Wednesday — still need to improve substantially.

Going far in the Champions League would be great, but Liverpool simply has to qualify for the next edition of the competition. Failing to do so would dramatically increase the chatter already growing about Slot's future.

This game, then, is a massive one. Newcastle is three points behind Liverpool as things stand, meaning it is a six-pointer. Winning would generate a buffer; losing would see the Reds further slide down the standings.