Liverpool have been hard at work in training as they prepare to face Arsenal this weekend.
The Reds take on the Gunners in the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. It sees Liverpool looking to claim their first win in the top flight since the end of August.
Jurgen Klopp ’s side are currently in ninth place in the league table with just 10 points from their opening seven fixtures. In contrast, Arsenal are top of the league with 21 points, 11 ahead of the Reds, but have played one game more.
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On Friday, Klopp and his players were back on the pitch at the AXA Training Centre as they get ready for Sunday’s match. Here is a look at some of the things we spotted from the latest session.
Robertson pictured
A welcome boost for Liverpool is Andy Robertson gradually working his way back to fitness, and was pictured doing some work in training. The left-back has been sidelined with a knee problem since the 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League last month.
Klopp said in his press conference that the player is nearing a return to action. However, it does not seem likely that Robertson will be fit enough to start, or even be in the matchday squad, for Arsenal, but you never know.
"Robbo is running a lot. Looks like he is close,” said Klopp, in his press conference on Friday.
Jones back in training
One player who will be in contention to feature against Arsenal is Curtis Jones. The midfielder has been sidelined with injury almost all season so far, but could make his return this weekend.
His only appearance so far came in the Community Shield win over Manchester City at the end of July. Since then, Jones has featured on the bench once and is yet to play a single minute of competitive action.
Jones was pictured taking part in training, and Klopp said on Friday that the player is “close” to a return. "Curtis Jones was in training yesterday. Looked good," Klopp told reporters. "But that's not the first session. He's probably closest. Nothing new, in a good way."
Still no Keita and Ox, Thiago not pictured
Even though some players are making their return, some are still yet to get back in training. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are two who fit into that category.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out with a hamstring injury since pre-season in July, while Keita hasn’t played since the Community Shield. Klopp said on Friday that both players are not yet close, having given a rough return date of October last month.
"Naby and Ox still a little bit away,” said Klopp, in his press conference.
It's also worth noting that there's no sign of Thiago Alcantara in the latest batch of pictures from training. Liverpool fans will no doubt be keeping their fingers crossed that was just a case of the midfielder being missed by the photographer rather than anything else.
No Arthur
As confirmed by Klopp in his press conference on Friday, there was no Arthur Melo in training. The Brazilian has made just one cameo appearance since signing on loan from Juventus.
Klopp confirmed that Arthur has suffered a muscle injury, but there is no timeframe at this point of when he will return. His only minutes so far came in the latter stages of the defeat to Napoli last month, and he wasn’t involved against Rangers in midweek due to the injury.
“We have a new injury,” said Klopp. “Arthur Melo in the last session before the Rangers game. Normal situation, he injured a muscle. We have to wait for further assessment to know how long it will be. He is out.”
Henderson chat with Pep
Onto a topic that doesn’t involve injuries or fitness concerns. Given the club’s lack of consistency this season, there are likely to be honest conversations going on within the group.
There may well have been one between Jordan Henderson and assistant manager Pep Lijnders. The pair were pictured having a chat, where the Liverpool captain made some hand gestures that are likely to involve possible tactics for the session.
Henderson has played in both of Liverpool’s two matches since making his return from injury after the international break. It remains to be seen whether the Reds skipper will line up against Arsenal on Sunday.
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