Darwin Nunez returns, $71m duo missing, Mohamed Salah sharp - 4 things from Liverpool training
Liverpool returns to Champions League action this midweek with Bologna coming to Anfield tomorrow. And with a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday in the early kick-off slot, Arne Slot might need to rotate his side.
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah and several others could make a strong argument to start at least one of the two matches. Cody Gakpo, who has been excellent so far this season, would probably expect to start one or the other as he continues to switch with Luis Diaz down the left flank.
The Reds players trained ahead of facing Bologna this morning. This is what Liverpool.com spotted from the open session as Darwin Nunez made a return but Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa were both absent.
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Darwin Nunez returns
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez missed the win over Wolves because he was ill but the Uruguayan was back with his teammates here. He emerged for the session and appears to be back in contention to start again.
Nunez has only started two games so far under Slot with Jota preferred to him as the number nine. It could be a timely return for him, though, with a couple of other forward options missing and not out on the grass.
If he does get another opportunity, he needs to take it while he can. He did that, in fairness, on his only Premier League start this season to date against Bournemouth.
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa absent
Both Jota and Chiesa, signed for a combined $71.3m (£53.5m/€64.3m), were absent from the session. Jota, according to Sky Sports, has had a scan on a foot injury sustained over the weekend. While that came back all clear, he sat out training as a precaution. He could be available for Wednesday but there is no need to take any risks.
There is no news yet on Chiesa but Slot is likely to be asked about him during his press conference which is set to begin in a couple of hours' time. The Italian has only made one start for Liverpool so far since signing from Juventus when he played from the off against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.
Arne Slot could make changes
With the turnaround between matches so short, Liverpool is likely to make changes to its starting XI. Everyone looked in good spirits during the session — Jones excitedly leapt over the shoulders of Alexis Mac Allister at one point — and Gakpo and possibly a few others who are yet to nail down a starting spot would be right to think they should have a strong case to play.
A change in each department (defense, midfield and attack) would seem logical to keep things fresh. Bologna should not be underestimated but Liverpool should have enough to pick up the points even without going at its absolute strongest.
Leisurely training drills
The Liverpool players went through a series of light warm-up drills both with and without the ball, with one agility test involving picking up a tennis ball from a cone before racing against a teammate. One of the benefits of a change of head coach is that new methods are used and things freshen up and that appears to be the case here.
After the non-ball work, the players moved onto a small-sided passing drill with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold among those looking sharp. They will both want to be involved in the big game as Slot gets his first taste of a European night at Anfield. He will no doubt be asked about that, too, in his upcoming press conference.