Jurgen Klopp has led a strong Liverpool squad through one of their final sessions before Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield.
The Reds will look to make the most of their home advantage as they welcome last season’s round-of-16 opponents for another big European night on Merseyside.
Klopp stressed in his pre-match press conference that the 5-0 mauling of Porto in that previous tie will have no bearing on the game ahead for Liverpool, but that it would undoubtedly serve as motivation for the visitors.
To that end, his side will need to be inch perfect this week, and fortunately the manager has been boosted by a near fully fit squad.
He put them through their paces at Melwood in an open session on Monday evening, with Adam Lallana the only absentee after picking up a minor injury in the buildup to last week’s 3-1 win at former club Southampton.
Rhian Brewster was back involved after a hip problem, as were Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they work themselves back into contention.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Gini Wijnaldum all suffered knocks at St Mary’s, but were all part of the group as Klopp prepared for the first leg with a 22-man squad.
No other academy players were involved bar Brewster, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Ki-Jana Hoever, Ben Woodburn and Curtis Jones starting for the U23s in their 3-2 victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah scored his first goal in nine games against Southampton, and will be eager to add to his tally on Tuesday, currently standing at 22.
Speaking at Anfield, Klopp highlighted his winner on the south coast as a “decisive” goal for the season, with Liverpool eyeing silverware in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
“He scored a beautiful goal, so decisive, so important,” he told reporters.
“And if something happens at the end of the season I’m positive that will be one of the decisive [goals], 100 percent.”
Van Dijk, meanwhile, discussed the absence of Andy Robertson, who despite joining his team-mates for training is unable to feature against Porto due to suspension.
“He’s going to be missed. He’s been, I think together with myself from the back four, playing most the games,” the Dutchman said.
“For me personally, he’s having an amazing season. I think he’s the best left-back in the country.
“We’re definitely going to miss him but it is what it is.”
Liverpool have just five games left to play in the league, with the next coming at home to Chelsea on Sunday, but will be looking to extend their run in Europe with a big victory over Porto in the first leg.
Liverpool Squad Training on Monday
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mignolet
Defenders: Van Dijk, Matip, Gomez, Lovren, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson*, Moreno
Midfielders: Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Forwards: Salah, Mane, Firmino, Origi, Shaqiri, Sturridge, Brewster
* Suspended for Tuesday night.
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