Liverpool’s 25-Man Training Squad: Youth Drop Out and Near Full-Strength Confirmed
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has received positive news on the injury front as his side prepares to face Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-final. With the first leg taking place at Anfield on Thursday, Klopp watched over a 25-man squad in training and saw a number of key players return to full fitness.
The return of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stefan Bajcetic, and Diogo Jota to full training on Tuesday was a major boost for Klopp and the team. These players were involved in the training session on Wednesday as normal. While Klopp remained coy about their immediate availability, he stated that they will be used in the coming days and weeks.
The quartet trained alongside their teammates at the AXA Training Centre, putting the final touches on their preparations for their 50th game of the season. This is a crucial juncture in Liverpool’s season, and having these players back in action will undoubtedly strengthen the squad.
In addition to the returning players, Wataru Endo and Ibrahima Konate were also present in training. Konate was unused in the recent match against Manchester United, raising questions about how long he will play against Atalanta if he is also expected to be involved in the upcoming match on Sunday.
As Klopp’s squad nears full strength, a number of young players dropped out of the training squad, likely to prepare with the under-21s for their meeting with Manchester United on Friday. Players such as Jayden Danns, James McConnell, and Lewis Koumas were absent from the training session. However, Bobby Clark was retained and could potentially be involved in the academy fixture.
Klopp revealed that there are plans to give Bajcetic some game time with the under-21s to see how he copes with the challenge. This indicates that the young defender may be in line for some first-team action in the near future.
With a packed schedule of midweek and weekend matches ahead, Klopp is expected to rotate his squad to manage the workload. The full extent of this rotation will only be known when the team news is released at least an hour before kickoff.
In conclusion, Liverpool’s training session ahead of their Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta has provided positive news on the injury front. The return of key players such as Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Bajcetic, and Jota will greatly strengthen Klopp’s squad. The absence of some young players suggests that they will be preparing for the under-21 fixture against Manchester United. With a busy schedule ahead, Klopp is likely to rotate his squad to manage fatigue and ensure optimal performance.