LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool players during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Photos: Liverpool squad train ahead of Man United Europa League tie

The Liverpool squad trained at Melwood on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League first leg tie against Man United.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool players during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

As the sun set on Merseyside, the Reds’ players were going through their final preparations the day before one of the biggest games in recent history – a first European meeting against Man United.

Absent from training was midfielder James Milner, who was sent home earlier in the day suffering from a virus. He is therefore a doubt for Thursday’s match.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jon Flanagan was all smiles during the warm up – but the local lad isn’t registered in the Reds’ European squad so will miss out, something Jurgen Klopp has admitted regret at.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool's Jon Flanagan and Brad Smith during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Daniel Sturridge hasn’t started the last two games but is expected to come back into the side.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With Milner out, the team almost picks itself, with Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino behind Sturridge.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp was, as ever, looking relaxed ahead of the game!

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 9, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Manchester United FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Watch Klopp’s pre-match press conference in full here