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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Liverpool squad arrive in Portugal for Benfica clash as trio set to return but one player absent

The Liverpool squad have arrived in Portugal ahead of their Champions League clash against Benfica. The Reds take on the Primeira Liga outfit in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will be looking to progress to the semi-final of the competition should they get past Benfica. It’s the first time they’ve faced the Portuguese club since the 2010 Europa League campaign, where the Reds won 5-3 on aggregate.

Klopp and Virgil van Dijk fulfilled their pre-match media duties on Monday, by taking part in a press conference. They and the rest of the Liverpool squad and staff soon jetted out to Portugal for the match.

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In photos that have now been published, the Liverpool squad have now arrived at their base in Lisbon. Despite Klopp saying he has a fully fit squad, one player seems to be absent.

There was no sign of Caoimhin Kelleher, with Adrian stepping off the team coach, but likely starter Alisson Becker was pictured arriving with his team-mates.

Among the arrivals was Harvey Elliott, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi, who were all not involved in the weekend win over Watford. Elliott was instead playing for the Under-23s, while Minamino and Origi were merely left out.

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In the build-up to Tuesday night’s match, Liverpool were handed a boost after Klopp confirmed that he had a fully fit squad at his disposal. It's not clear at this point the reason behind Kelleher's absence.

Naby Keita missed the recent win over Watford, having picked up a knee problem before the international break. Curtis Jones suffered a slight knock at the weekend, while Joel Matip was forced to wear a headband following a clash of heads.

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