Liverpool’s preparations for their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid continued on Tuesday with a training session at the AXA Training Centre and there was both encouraging and concerning news for Arne Slot.
The Reds kick off their European campaign on Wednesday night at Anfield, with Diego Simeone’s side hoping to replicate their infamous elimination of Liverpool in 2020.
Among those training in Kirkby was summer signing Alexander Isak, who looks set to possibly make his debut for the club following his £125million British record move from Newcastle United earlier this month. The Sweden international sat out Sunday’s 1-0 win at Burnley to focus on his fitness, but his involvement on Tuesday suggests he is closing in on his first appearance.
Slot explained after the Burnley game:
“He was doing recovery, he had a hard and tough session yesterday.“
“We got him from Newcastle in a state where his pre-season is going to start now. He needs proper minutes of training as a base.“
“Alex is far from ready for a schedule for three games in a week for 90 minutes, we could use him today for five or 10 minutes and again on Wednesday, but we don’t believe that’s the way to build him up.”
“Now we will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum or maybe a bit more. But if he plays 45 on Wednesday don’t expect him to play 45 or more on Saturday because his body is not prepared for that in our opinion.”
Also taking part was Alexis Mac Allister, who had been forced off at half-time at Turf Moor with an ankle problem. While Slot had already played down the severity of the issue post-match, seeing the Argentine back on the grass provided another timely boost.
However, Curtis Jones was once again absent. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining an injury in last month’s win over Arsenal, and he missed both the Burnley game and Tuesday’s session. As a result, he is not expected to feature against Atletico, with Slot likely to turn to a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
There was further involvement for youngsters Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns, while Federico Chiesa also trained despite not being registered in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the group stage.
