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Liverpool’s open training session ahead of the Champions League fixture against Inter Milan was a little busier than usual as reporters flocked to Kirkby on Monday, primarily to see if Mohamed Salah was involved in the usual pre-match session.
Such was the media interest in what is usually a rather banal event, extra staff were deployed at the entrance to double-check who exactly was arriving. One journalist joked that he’d been “called up last minute,” while journalists from the majority of the national newspapers were in attendance.
When the session finally got going, there was much more than Salah to keep an eye out for. Liverpool.com was among those at Monday’s session, and here’s what we spotted.
Back to business
First and foremost, yes, Salah was indeed involved in training. There was a brief hubbub among the assembled reporters when he casually strolled onto the training field. Most players had already wandered out, so there was a growing feeling that Salah was set to sit this one out.
Instead, his arrival drew every eyeball. One interested observer was Arne Slot, who will give his verdict on Salah’s bombshell interview at Elland Road later on Monday. The Egyptian is expected to be omitted from the traveling party that flies to Milan.
Squad reaction
If any members of the squad took umbrage with Salah’s comments in the mixed zone at Leeds, that wasn’t evident on Monday. Liverpool’s no.11 laughed and joked with teammates at the AXA Training Centre, particularly Dominik Szoboszlai, who he partnered for a quick strength drill.
Indeed, the mood seemed relatively upbeat despite the poor run of results. Salah seemed unperturbed, despite making himself perhaps the sport’s biggest story over the last 24 hours.
Who else was involved?
There were 20 players who took part in Monday’s session, but it was those who missed out that might be most pressing for Slot. There were three new injury updates, with Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo not involved at Kirkby.
Liverpool.com understands Gakpo and Endo are suffering from knocks, while Endo is ill. It remains unclear whether they will travel to Italy, but should Salah also miss out, it could leave Liverpool with one senior winger in Rio Ngumoha. Szoboszlai could present another option, and has started the last three matches on the right wing.
Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong also missed Monday’s session as expected.
A fresh face
The number of defensive absentees means Slot was in need of additional numbers, and the Dutchman turned to Wellity Lucky. The 19-year-old center-back has previously trained with the senior team and made his debut in the Carabao Cup loss against Crystal Palace in October.
Trey Nyoni, who has played a peripheral role this season, also trained with the squad.
A new look
Liverpool debuted its new Adidas training gear in Monday’s sessions. Getting in the festive spirit, the players donned red shirts and jackets, having been kitted out in green in the previous open training sessions this season.
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