Football

5 things noticed as Liverpool train ahead of Barcelona Champions League semi-final


Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of a first Premier League title is being put on the back-burner this week as the Reds travel to Barcelona.

Jurgen Klopp’s men face their hardest test of the Champions League so far at the Nou Camp this Wednesday, where they will be hoping to bring home a respectable result for the second leg at Anfield.

Ahead of flying out to Catalonia the Reds were put through their paces at Melwood by Liverpool boss Klopp.

Here’s five things we noticed from the session.

1. No injury concerns for Liverpool

There were fears Roberto Firmino would miss Liverpool’s huge clash with Barcelona when he was ruled out against Huddersfield with a ‘muscle tear’.

Roberto Firmino is back for Liverpool

 

But he returned to training on Tuesday and you’ll expect line up alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the Champions League.

2. A poignant return for the Ox

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ruptured his ACL in Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final clash with Roma this time last season.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ruptured his ACL last season

 

He returned after more than a year out in Liverpool’s demolition of Huddersfield and is in contention to feature against Barcelona.

It does still feel a little too soon for Oxlade-Chamberlain to return given the importance of the fixture, but it’s poignant that he could make his first real impact for the Reds at the same stage of the same competition he was injured in last season.

3. He should be full of confidence

Virgil van Dijk has just been named PFA Player of the Year – beating Raheem Sterling to the coveted top prize.

Virgil van Dijk should be brimming with confidence

 

He was also named in the Premier League team of the season alongside three of his Liverpool team-mates, and should therefore be be brimming with confidence ahead of Barcelona.

4. Liverpool’s midfield is taking shape

It’s been Liverpool’s ‘weak area’ this season, the centre of the park.

Compared to Manchester City, who can boast the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and David Silva, the Reds have looked a little short.

Naby Keita’s smile tells the full story

 

In recent weeks, though, Liverpool’s midfield have really stepped things up and it was Naby Keita who settled the nerves with an early strike in the win over Huddersfield.

The midfielder will therefore be full of confidence going into the Barcelona game.

5. He’s found his Golden Boots

Mohamed Salah is apparently having a poor second season at Liverpool compared to the dizzying heights he hit in his debut Reds campaign.

Mohamed Salah is at the top of his game

 

That said, he’s still scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League this campaign and has looked deadly in recent weeks.

Klopp will be hoping his Egyptian king will be on target against Barcelona.

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