Jurgen Klopp could be buoyed by the return of three players for Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, but is likely to be without another.
The Reds return to action this weekend when they take on former manager Roy Hodgson’s side at Selhurst Park in a 12.30pm kickoff (BST).
As is often the case following an international break, fitness is required to be reassessed and best-laid plans rearranged as showcase friendlies take their toll.
Klopp saw 27 players called up for duty this month, with 16 of those from his senior squad, and with another host of clashes set for Tuesday night their condition is set to be tested again.
The manager will already have an indication as to whether Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez and Emre Can will be fit to feature, however.
Lovren reported to training at Melwood on Monday afternoon as the Reds’ skeleton squad reconvened for pre-Palace preparations, along with the likes of Loris Karius and Joel Matip.
Nathaniel Clyne also took part, with the right-back providing another much-needed option in the expected absence of Joe Gomez.
According to the Liverpool Echo the 20-year-old is likely to miss Saturday’s clash after picking up an ankle injury in England’s 1-0 win away to the Netherlands on Friday, with ESPN claiming he could miss a month of action.
The Echo do, however, report that the back problem that forced Emre Can out of contention for Germany is seen as “no major concern,” with the hope being “that he can train later in the week.”
Can confirmed he had returned to Merseyside in an Instagram post on Monday evening, wherein also refuting claims he had demanding a £200,000-a-week contract.
Along with Karius, Lovren, Matip and Clyne at Melwood on Monday were Danny Ward, Caoimhin Kelleher, Alberto Moreno, James Milner, Rafa Camacho and Danny Ings.
Ward was involved after missing Wales’ China Cup exploits due to visa issues, while academy goalkeeper Kelleher is no longer with the Republic of Ireland U21s squad.
The young Irish take on Azerbaijan in their Euro U21 qualifier in Tallaght on Tuesday night, but Kelleher had already been an unused substitute in Thursday’s 3-1 friendly win over Iceland.
Moreno and Ings were left out by Spain and England respectively while Milner, like Matip, has already retired from international duty.
Camacho’s presence in training is another indicator of the Portuguese winger’s bright future under Klopp, having featured heavily in first-team sessions of late.
He is usually joined by fellow U23s star Curtis Jones, but the 17-year-old was part of the England U17s side to draw 1-1 with Brazil in Spain on Monday.
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