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Liverpool will hope to overcome the disappointment of Saturday’s Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace when it takes on Galatasaray in midweek.
That won’t be easy in front of an intimidating Istanbul atmosphere, while Galatasaray approaches the match in impressive form. The team from Turkey has won all seven of its league matches this season.
Arne Slot will be looking to restore confidence after last weekend’s bruising defeat at Selhurst Park. And he was boosted by a full contingent of players during Monday’s training session. Liverpool.com was present at the AXA Training Centre on a sunny autumnal morning, and here are five things we spotted.
Not short of options
Twenty-four players trained at Kirkby, including four goalkeepers. Among that group was Armin Pesci, who is likely to be the one player from the session who misses out on the matchday squad.
With 12 substitutes named in Champions League matches, the Reds will not be short of options off the bench. That includes Federico Chiesa, who was registered for the Champions League last week.
But his gain is Giovanni Leoni’s loss. The teenager suffered a season-ending injury on Tuesday and won’t play again this season, with Chiesa replacing Leoni in the European roster.
He, obviously, was not involved in Monday’s session, nor was Jayden Danns. The youth team striker sustained a knock over the weekend and was not involved in training. Otherwise, it was a full cast of first-team players for the Reds.
Frimpong keeping spirits high
Perhaps this is a bit of confirmation bias, but the Liverpool players seemed a little less jovial during Monday’s training session. It would be inaccurate to say there was a downbeat mood, but the usual laughter and jokes did seem to be missing at Kirkby.
That didn’t apply to Jeremie Frimpong, though. He came flying out at the beginning of the session and was spotted messing with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch.
Make light work of training
After a quick warm-up, the players split into pairs and took part in some strength work. That mainly involved throwing a medicine ball back and forth - far from a simple task.
It was humorous to note those of smaller stature - Frimpong, Rio Ngumoha, and Wataru Endo - took a bit of a running jump before lobbing the weighted ball in the direction of their partner. The 6-foot-5 in Virgil van Dijk, on the other hand, effortlessly tossed it.
All smiles
Slot was critical of Hugo Ekitike in the wake of last week’s red card against Southampton, actions that were labelled “stupid” and “needless.”
The Liverpool head coach rowed back slightly on that on Friday, claiming Ekitike was among the friendliest members of his star-studded squad.
Perhaps it was pre-planned, perhaps pure coincidence, but the pair were seen chatting at the start of the session. That puts to bed any suggestion of a falling out after his dismissal.
Growing on us
Not to say it was a quiet session, but our final update is on a new hairstyle... Yep.
Dominik Szoboszlai was seen with his hair tied up in a little man bun. We’ll have further updates when we get them.
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