Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Match Verdict
Things spotted from Liverpool training ahead of the Premier League clash against Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool were put through their paces at the AXA Training Centre as they prepare for one of the biggest games of the campaign.
The Reds travel to Manchester City on Sunday in the latest showdown between the modern-day rivals. The two sides have been chief protagonists in several Premier League title races over the past decade. City have claimed six titles since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016 while the Reds have claimed the other two - most recently last season.
But so far this campaign, they are both currently in the shadow of Arsenal, who are six points above City and seven ahead of Liverpool. With the Gunners in action against Sunderland the previous evening, they have the chance to widen the gap and put the pressure on.
Reds boss Arne Slot has insisted he is only taking things one game at a time given that his side have only just come out of a dire run of six losses in seven games in all competitions. He cannot afford to look beyond a City side that is aiming to again become England's dominant force.
Slot confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Alexander Isak was due to return to training ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium. The striker has endured a soft launch to his Liverpool career after a £125 million British record move to Anfield in the summer transfer window. Isak arrived short of match fitness before suffering a groin injury that has kept him out of the past four games.
In the latest episode of Inside Training uploaded by the club, Isak was indeed back rubbing shoulders with his team-mates during Friday's session. Slot has already confirmed that the Sweden international will not be fit enough to start and again has to build up his fitness.
Jeremie Frimpong and Alisson Becker (both hamstring) remain unavailable. The latter is expected to return to action for the clash against Nottingham Forest on 22 November after the international break. Youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns (both hamstring) are still absent while Giovanni Leoni will not play again this season after rupturing his ACL on debut in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton in September.
And another centre-back seemingly could not be spotted on the grass with Slot's men. Joe Gomez was not picked up by the cameras in Kirkby. Liverpool's longest-serving player was sighted in the gym but did not head out for the main session.
It could be the case that Gomez is carefully being managed to ensure that he is involved against City given that the Reds are already light of senior players. Gomez is the only recognised back-up to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate with Leoni unavailable. Or the versatile defender may well have not been out on the grass for an entirely different reason so it does not mean he won’t be in the squad at City.
Rhys Williams, who has not made a first-team appearance since 2021, and 18-year-old Lucas Pitt were called up to supplement the numbers. Pitt has made seven appearances for the under-21s this season, scoring one goal, as well as a solitary outing for the under-19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Trey Nyoni also trained with Slot's troops rather than the 18-year-old playing for the under-21s in a 3-0 loss at West Ham United on Friday evening.
Liverpool outfield players spotted in training
Defenders: Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez*, Robertson, Kerkez, Williams, Pitt
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones, Endo, Nyoni.
Forwards: Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha.
*Only in the gym
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