Your morning digest for Thursday, July 21
Liverpool signing set for next step after £250,000 deal that stung Manchester United
After a hectic, whistle-stop tour of the Far East last week, it was business as usual for Liverpool at the AXA Centre on Monday.
Ahead of the second leg of the Reds' pre-season tour - a week that will see them meet RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg - Jurgen Klopp and his players were back in their familiar surroundings as training continued.
It was a far cry from the scenes in both Thailand and Singapore last week when the club were given a timely reminder of just how sprawling their passionate fanbase is across the globe, but the return to the Kirkby venue marked the beginning of the most important phase of Klopp's pre-season schedule.
READ MORE: Roberto Firmino could be set for double Liverpool boost thanks to Darwin Nunez
READ MORE: Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas failed to end ex-Liverpool star's bitter feud with Barcelona legend
The European leg of the summer itinerary is viewed by Klopp as the most important in getting his squad attuned to the rigours of what is to come and that will be no different this time around.
One young player who will be hoping to continue the journey with the stars of the first team is the versatile Stefan Bajcetic, who has caught the eye in friendlies with Manchester United and Crystal Palace so far with a couple of stylish cameos.
Paul Gorst, our Liverpool correspondent, has the full story, here.
Roberto Firmino could be set for double Liverpool boost thanks to Darwin Nunez
For those supporters who seemingly place as much stock in transfers as they do results on the field, it's a phrase which, when uttered, is in danger of causing their temperature to rise more than a UK heatwave.
It would be wise, then, to stand well back if you refer to any current squad member as potentially being like a new signing in the forthcoming campaign.
In fairness, shiny new faces are by definition far more alluring or appealing than refurbished old ones. Particularly when they have been at Liverpool for seven years
But there is a sense among the Reds squad this season may prove something of an Indian summer for Roberto Firmino.
The last campaign was one of frustration for the Brazilian, who suffered four separate injury setbacks. He missed the League Cup final through one of them, and was restricted to late cameos from the bench in both the FA Cup and Champions League showpieces.
Ian Doyle has the full story, here.
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