Liverpool trio miss pre-Blackburn training with future and fitness in doubt

July 17, 2018
Jack Lusby

Liverpool trained at Melwood on Tuesday morning as they prepare for Thursday’s friendly trip to Blackburn Rovers, but were missing three players.

The Reds finish their initial four-game run of domestic friendlies at Ewood Park, before heading across the Atlantic for their tour of the United States.

Having already travelled to Chester, Tranmere Rovers and Bury, Jurgen Klopp‘s side are improving in fitness ahead of a busy campaign in 2018/19.

Klopp oversaw training with a 26-man squad, with Georginio Wijnaldum, Harry Wilson and Danny Ings all absent.

Wilson is due to complete a season-long loan move to Derby County in the next 48 hours according to the Liverpool Echo, having been left out at Bury to avoid injury.

But Ings was unavailable at Gigg Lane due to a problem that also ruled him out of the 3-2 win at Tranmere, though the striker is also expected to depart this summer.

The Southern Daily Echo dismissed claims of Southampton‘s interest in Ings on Monday, however, with Crystal Palace his most likely destination at this stage.

Wijnaldum worked separately alongside strength and rehabilitation assistant David Rydings as he continues to improve his fitness, though he has been touted with a reunion with Phillip Cocu at Fenerbahce this summer.

With the arrivals of Naby Keita and Fabinho, who both trained on Tuesday, and the return of Adam Lallana, Wijnaldum could be weighing up his options.

Elsewhere, Daniel Sturridge was present after sitting out of one of the sessions prior to Saturday’s 0-0 draw, suggesting he had not suffered any problems following his 45-minute runout.

Speaking after that drab afternoon in Greater Manchester, Klopp claimed Sturridge “always had a future,” adding that “we don’t have to make decisions now in this situation.”