Liverpool have stepped up their preparations for the return of the domestic season by jetting off to Dubai for a warm weather training camp.
Jurgen Klopp's side did not enjoy the greatest of opening months and sit in sixth - 15 points off the summit having lost more games than they did in the entirety of last season. There were signs that the Reds were beginning to get over their early woes with successive wins before the Premier League came to a halt.
The Reds, though, have jetted to the Middle East but without some of their more established stars. The likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold all harbour hopes of claiming World Cup glory in Qatar.
Nevertheless, Liverpool still had some stellar names to take with them, coupled with some younger stars who have been allowed to train with the first-team. Mohamed Salah was the headline name to take part in training as he looks to hit his straps when football returns in a matter of weeks.
Here's what we picked up from the opening day of their training camp.
Salah looking primed
He had that look in his eye. The Egyptian has been good, not great this term, with his moments of brilliance coming in bursts. This time last year there were genuine claims to call Salah the best player in the world as he scored with incredible regularity.
This season he was slower to get going, although 14 goals at the midway point is hardly disappointing. Salah has been more potent in Europe than he has domestically, but showed he's able to rise to the big occasion after scoring the winner against Manchester City in October.
Pep Guardiola's outfit are first up for Liverpool when they resume their season and Salah has enjoyed several weeks off due to Egypt's failure to make the World Cup. That will no doubt be to his team's advantage as they look to push on in the season-half of the season.
Goalkeepers put through their paces
Alisson is the club's undoubted No.1, but he's away with Brazil, eyeing a World Cup triumph. It has meant that his understudies have been able to assume the limelight with the No.2 spot at Liverpool certainly up for grabs. Caoimhin Kelleher would appear to be second choice currently.
The Irishman has excelled in cup competitions and helped the Reds win numerous penalty shootouts. Adrian, who has also filled in for Alisson in the past, was also part of the training camp in the Middle East. Lesser known names were also present as they look to stake their claims.
Fabian Mrozek and Harvey Davies are both just 19 and have been playing for the age grade outfits on Merseyside. They are certainly someway down the pecking order but being exposed to the first-team environment can only be a positive.
Centre-half connections
For Klopp it is two from four every week. Realistically it is one from three given that Van Dijk commands his role in the heart of defence. The Dutchman has been paired with several players over the years but no one has ever been able to truly nail down that spot.
Van Dijk is currently in Qatar with the Netherlands whilst Ibrahima Konate is trying to help France retain their crown. It leaves Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as the two recognised centre-halves in the squad that has travelled to Dubai.
Having time alongside each other will no doubt enhance the pair's understanding. They played alongside one another during the season that saw Van Dijk side-lined and were largely a solid duo. Klopp will now be able to observe them close up without the shadow of Van Dijk looming.
Injury prevention
Klopp has, understandably, bemoaned the amount of injuries experienced by his side this term. Diogo Jota, Thiago, Naby Keita and Henderson are among those to face time on the side-lines. The mid-season World Cup also threw a curve ball that many clubs could've done without.
Managers throughout Europe have been watching on, fingers crossed, that their leading lights don't get crocked whilst away with their national teams. Liverpool were lucky that some of their main stars didn't head off to Qatar, but they're still doing what they can to prevent any more injuries.
The whole team were involved in lengthy stretching sessions, which will have massively helped their muscles, whilst they will need to be eased back in to the intensity expected having enjoyed some time away.
Youngsters brought into the fold
Trips like this one to Dubai are prime time to blood in a young player or two. Even if they aren't part of Klopp's immediate plans, the chance to learn off the team's main players will be invaluable, as is being able to sample the first-team atmosphere.
Jarell Quansah, a 19-year-old, has been a regular with the club's age grade sides but is yet to make his first-team debut. He is among those who travelled for a warm weather training camp. The defender will be able to rub shoulders with the likes of Matip and Gomez as he looks to further his development.
Quansah will have seen how players like Harvey Elliott, who was part of the camp, have been able to excel and grow in the first-team picture with Klopp not afraid to throw in teenagers if they're good enough.
