Liverpool injury boost confirmed, young Arne Slot duo in - 4 things from Champions League training

While the narrative around Xabi Alonso returning to Liverpool is an obvious talking point heading into tomorrow's Champions League clash at Anfield, Arne Slot will just be focused on winning the three points and maintaining his 100 per cent European record.

Only Liverpool and Aston Villa have won each of their opening three matches in the Champions League this season. But now the Reds are set to face their biggest test yet in the form of the Bundesliga outfit, with Real Madrid coming up after the international break.

Liverpool needs to ensure it finishes inside the top eight spots to avoid a play-off round which would mean playing two extra fixtures in 2025 when the schedule is already packed. Here's what we spotted from today's open training session.

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Ibrahima Konate injury boost

Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate had already taken to social media to confirm that a scan had shown he had suffered no lasting damage despite being forced off at half-time against Brighton. But he was in action in today's training session, underlining the expectation that he should be involved against Bayer Leverkusen.

As the players entered the arena in front of the cameras, Kostas Tsimikas playfully leaped onto Konate's shoulders, and the Greek's excitement would suggest that his teammate was no longer feeling the effects of Virgil van Dijk landing on him following a set-piece. Konate is likely to come back into the starting XI, as well as Joe Gomez did in his absence.

The four players who are sidelined at the moment — Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa — were obviously not involved. They will all be back at some point after the international break, though no exact date has been placed on any of them.

Joe Gomez chats with John Heitinga

It would be fair to say that Gomez was outstanding in the second half when he was introduced unexpectedly against Brighton on Saturday. Thrown into the action, he didn't put a foot wrong, though that first goal for the club remains elusive.

Gomez was deep in conversation with one of Arne Slot's coaches, the former Everton ace John Heitinga, at the start of the session. He might have expected to get a run in the team after the weekend — and might still get minutes if Konate needs in any way managing. Gomez, as he reminded everyone at Anfield, is a more than capable performer when he is called upon.

James Norris and Tom Hill involved

Young Liverpool duo James Norris, 21, and Tom Hill, 22, were both in training with the first team. Norris, a left-back, has actually been somewhat of a regular in Slot's training sessions so far this season, with the pair helping make up the numbers.

Neither are likely to be involved in the Champions League squad but both are too old to be playing in the UEFA Youth League. Liverpool's U19s will play Leverkusen U19s in Kirkby tomorrow a few hours before the senior sides face off.

Light session amid another huge week for Liverpool

After moving top of the Premier League standings a few days ago, Liverpool can its pre-November international break destiny in its own hands. Win against Aston Villa and it will be at least two points clear at the top for a couple of weeks.

In the immediate term, though, there is the Leverkusen game to win. The Bundesliga side has been inconsistent this year (at least a lot more so than it was last term) but there is still a test for the Reds to overcome.

Get the three points on the board and qualification to the next round will be near. If Liverpool can secure a top-eight place before the two games in January, that would be a huge boost for their fitness levels and any potentially tired legs.

Given the busy week, the open training session was a very light one. Nothing is ever shown in public that might give away a game plan. At Anfield on Tuesday, however — and then again on Saturday — things will be a lot more intense.