After nearly two weeks under the Middle Eastern sun, Liverpool players returned to the AXA Training Centre on Monday ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City later this week.
With the World Cup now firmly in the rear-view mirror after Sunday's thrilling final between Argentina and France, all attention on Merseyside will be on the weeks and months ahead as Jurgen Klopp's side look to meet the second half of the season head-on and make amends for their poor beginning to the 2022/23 Premier League season.
Here's what the ECHO spotted from Monday's return to the familiar surroundings of Kirkby.
READ MORE: Even Gary Neville agreed with Jurgen Klopp over incident that left Liverpool raging
READ MORE: Six players who could leave Liverpool in January transfer window
Quartet return after World Cup heartbreak
Monday saw Brazilian duo Alisson Becker and Fabinho make their returns to training on Merseyside after nearly six weeks away from the AXA Centre.
The pair were included in Tite's 26-man squad for the Qatar finals and while Alisson was one of the stars of the Selecao's journey, Fabinho was mainly restricted to a bit-part role in the Middle East.
The 2002 winners had been tipped by many to secure a sixth World Cup triumph but a shock penalty shootout defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals saw Fabinho and Alisson's quest for immortality in their homeland end.
Having enjoyed a week's vacation after their disappointment in Qatar, as has been the case for all of those within the Reds' squad involved in the competition, it remains to be seen whether the duo will be called upon for the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester City on Thursday.
After Friday's defeat to AC Milan, Klopp refused to rule England's quarter-finalists Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold - who also returned to official training on Monday - out of the trip to the Etihad. However, the Liverpool boss revealed that an appearance from Virgil van Dijk would be unlikely.
But after the Reds boss acknowledged that the 33-man contingent had made a "real step" during their time in Dubai, it seems probable that Caoimhin Kelleher will get the nod. Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott could be joined by Stefan Bajcetic in midfield.
Darwin Nunez all smiles ahead of Manchester City
Despite enduring a frustrating World Cup finals as Uruguay were cruelly eliminated on goals scored, Darwin Nunez quickly made no mistake in making up for lost time as he bagged a quick-fire brace during the Reds' victory over AC Milan at the Al-Maktoum on Friday afternoon.
The 23-year-old, who started to flourish in the final weeks before club football's hiatus, continued his preparations for Liverpool's return to action later this week and was all smiles at the AXA Centre on Monday afternoon.
In the absence of the £64m Uruguayan, who only linked up with his team-mates for the final week of their mid-season training camp after his involvement in the World Cup, Klopp used both Fabio Carvalho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as left-sided forward players.
However, as previously mentioned, with the Liverpool manager likely to largely count on those who have not featured at the World Cup for the latest battle with Pep Guardiola's side, Nunez could be thrown straight back into the action alongside Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in attack due to boasting an extra week of training on those who reached the knockout rounds with their respective nations.
Midfielder still absent
There was no sign of Curtis Jones as Liverpool reconvened at Kirkby. Despite being named in the Reds' squad for the mid-season camp, Jones did not train with his team-mates and instead trained with Dr David Rydings, the club's rehabilitation fitness coach, on December 7 and was therefore not included in the squads that faced Lyon or AC Milan.
At this stage it is unknown what is limiting the 21-year-old from joining in the full sessions with the rest of the squad. However, he was not named in the Reds' final two games prior to the World Cup break against Derby County or Southampton.
In October, Jones opened up on the difficulties he had faced in overcoming a "stress reaction" injury he had picked up against Manchester City in July, which kept him out of action for ten weeks.
However, there was some positive news on the injury front for Liverpool as Kaide Gordon was pictured running outside with Rydings as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term pelvic issue.
Young trio involved ahead of potential first-team opportunities
Ben Doak, Bajcetic and Bobby Clark all continued their involvement with the Liverpool first-team as they trained with Klopp's side ahead of Thursday's trip to Manchester City.
The trio caught the eye during the trip to Dubai, with Doak and Clark grabbing impressive assists for Nunez in the Dubai Super Cup finale against AC Milan, which the Reds won 4-1.
Despite the young Reds being involved in FA Youth Cup action on Thursday as they face AFC Bournemouth in the third round, which all three are eligible for, it looks as though the Reds' young guns will be called into senior action for the trip to the Etihad, with Bajcetic pushing for a start in midfield.
The teenagers were pictured being put through their paces at Kirkby on Monday afternoon on the first-team training pitches, with Andy Robertson and Elliott appearing to take 17-year-old Doak under their wing during the session.
READ NEXT:
Enzo Fernandez proves Liverpool right as Luis Diaz sends message to Lionel Messi
Jordan Henderson facing decision that could have big impact on Liverpool career
PSV open door to Cody Gakpo January transfer exit in boost for Liverpool
Jude Bellingham gives verdict on Man Utd transfer that Liverpool fans will love
Liverpool handed Sofyan Amrabat 'transfer boost' as World Cup star makes decision on future
