Liverpool were back in training on Friday ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds were in good spirits at the AXA Training Centre, having extended their unbeaten run to five games with a midweek 2-1 victory over West Ham United to bolster their European hopes.
As preparations for facing Spurs continued, here’s what we spotted from training…
READ MORE: Liverpool could still qualify for Champions League thanks to Man United
READ MORE: John Henry discussions as Liverpool sporting director spotted
Konate returns but quartet missing?
As promised by Jurgen Klopp at his latest pre-match press conference, Ibrahima Konate was back in training on Friday and is available for selection on Sunday.
However, a number of senior players weren’t pictured in the Reds’ latest training session. Having taken a heavy knock to his back against West Ham, Diogo Jota was absent from the latest pictures, with Klopp admitting earlier in the day he would need to be assessed.
Meanwhile, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara also weren’t pictured, though that does not necessarily mean they won’t be available for selection on Sunday.
Naby Keita also wasn’t spotted in the latest training pictures, despite Klopp’s suggestions that he could return to training on Friday, while the likes of Roberto Firmino and Stefan Bajcetic were also, as expected, absent.
Oxlade-Chamberlain confusion
Despite Klopp saying at his press-conference that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wasn’t training, the midfielder was actually pictured taking part in Friday’s session.
Caught on camera challenging Luis Diaz, and stood alongside Darwin Nunez and James Milner, it would seem the England international was in full team training to some extent.
An unexpected return perhaps or just a slip of the tongue from Klopp? Given his press conference took place on Friday morning, it wouldn’t have been before he received the latest medical updates.
Salah pranks Robbo as Milly jokes with Nunez
Mohamed Salah was caught on camera pranking Andy Robertson prior to training, spraying the Scotland captain with water from behind though he would quickly deny his guilt.
The two were pictured joking together as they headed out for training, with Robertson racing away from Salah, suggesting the pair were up to more mischief behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Milner was in good spirits with Nunez during training as he had his arm around the Uruguayan and the pair shook hands. The Reds vice-captain is pretty much fluent in Spanish, so could have been aiding his team-mate with translation, though Klopp will no doubt hope Nunez was brushing up his English!
Joe Gomez scores hat-trick!
Joe Gomez has never scored for Liverpool. However, he scored an incredible hat-trick during a shooting exercise at the end of training to earn joyful applause from Klopp and his team-mates.
Bending his first effort into the top left corner, he then rolled his second strike beyond Marcelo Pitaluga into the bottom right corner. However, he saved his best for last.
A first-time volley from the edge of the box, he wheeled off in celebration as his team-mates cheered in amazement, before waving as he jogged back inside as Klopp watched on, applauding, from the doorway.
Fair play, Joe. Even if you were a prolific forward, it doesn’t get much better than that!
READ NEXT:
Luis Diaz may be facing new Liverpool wait as injury reality emerges
Ian Wright hugely excited about young Liverpool midfielder and makes Cody Gakpo claim
'There were moments' - Jurgen Klopp makes major Tottenham admission before Liverpool clash
Liverpool 'hold talks' with Ryan Gravenberch's management amid transfer links
Liverpool have clear European route after Newcastle and Tottenham results
