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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Four things spotted in Liverpool training as Jurgen Klopp receives major injury boost

Liverpool will look to keep alive hopes of an unprecedented quadruple when they resume their Champions League campaign on Tuesday.

The Reds travel to Portugal to take on Benfica in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Jurgen Klopp put his players through their paces at Kirkby on Monday afternoon before the flight out later in the day.

But what could be gleaned from the session?

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Keita returns

There have been very few injury issues for Liverpool in recent weeks.

There was, though, concern over Naby Keita, who withdrew from international duty with Guinea a fortnight ago due to a knee issue that subsequently kept him out of Saturday's Premier League win over Watford.

Thankfully, the midfielder stepped out for the training session at a windy Kirkby.

And Keita, a substitute in the last three Champions League games, will now be pressing for a starting role in the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.

Klopp headache

Jurgen Klopp will be choosing his side from a position of strength.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold, a substitute at the weekend, again featuring in training, the Reds boss has a full squad from which to select.

Klopp has opted for a third goalkeeper on the 12-man bench in all bar one of the previous eight Champions League games this season.

And should he continue that trend, it seems at least two senior outfield professionals will miss out on the matchday squad in Lisbon.

Elliott's happy birthday

Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino were all notable by their absence against Watford.

But the trio were all smiles as they took full part in the session at Kirkby - once Origi joined up with the rest of his colleagues.

And there was extra special reason for the grin on Elliott's face as the youngster was celebrating his 19th birthday.

The teenager was afforded the traditional pre-training welcome of having happy birthday sang to him in all the different languages in the Reds squad before receiving big hugs off Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

Youngsters involved

Even allowing for a full squad, there was still room for a number of youngsters in the training session.

Rhys Williams, who was recalled from a loan spell at Championship side Swansea City In January, was involved.

So too was Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga, who was working with the keepers along with Loris Karius.

It would be a surprise, though, if either starlet featured in Portugal.

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