Liverpool Back at AXA Training Centre: Pre-Season Kicks Off with Plenty of Testing
Liverpool are back in action! After a 41-day break, the Reds have returned to the AXA Training Centre and pre-season is now underway. Jurgen Klopp and his squad are gearing up for the 2023/24 season and the first players reported for testing on Saturday. Here are six things we spotted from the first day of pre-season.
Jurgen “Happy to be Back”
Good morning, boss ?? pic.twitter.com/6cLUFeU4MB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 8, 2023
Jurgen Klopp was all smiles as he returned to the AXA Training Centre after a “brilliant” time away. He looked tanned and well-rested, just what we want to see! The time for holidays is over and the time to get to work has begun.
A Small Group
Morning, Joël ? pic.twitter.com/Hw3U1fuicm
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 8, 2023
Only a small group of players reported for testing on Saturday, including Adrian, Ojrzynski, Ramsay, Gomez, Matip, Phillips, Fabinho, Bajcetic, and Nunez. We await the internationals and new signings on Tuesday.
Ramsay Involved Despite Loan Agreement
Calvin Ramsay will spend next season on loan at Preston but was spotted on the first day as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury sustained back in February. He will join up with the Championship side from July 15 but he will be able to rub shoulders with his Liverpool team-mates before making the switch.
Youngsters in the Building
Liverpool’s academy players returned to the AXA Training Centre on Monday and one would expect to see a few be integrated into Klopp’s senior squad over the next few weeks. James Balagizi and Melkamu Frauendorf were present on Saturday, as too Paul Glatzel.
Thiago Present
Hola, @Thiago6 ? pic.twitter.com/RQ4bVuu1NS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 8, 2023
Thiago has been the subject of transfer speculation over the last week amid interest in his signature and talk of Liverpool needing to sell before buying surfaced. Having not represented his country, he was due to report back on Saturday and while not pictured with the small group of senior players in the gym earlier in the day, Thiago was present.
The Dreaded Lactate Test!
If they did not know their holidays were over before, they certainly do now! The players took to the pitch for the endurance test and it looks like there is room for a new lactate king to take the throne – who will it be?
Conclusion
Pre-season is now underway at Liverpool and it looks like it will be an exciting one! With a small group of senior players returning on Saturday and plenty of testing to be done, it will be interesting to see who steps up and who takes the lactate king crown. With internationals and new signings set to arrive on Tuesday, we can’t wait to see what 2023/24 has in store for Jurgen Klopp’s squad!