LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 4, 2022: Liverpool’s Naby Keita during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against SL Benfica. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Naby Keita returns as FULL Liverpool squad trains for Benfica

Liverpool took their final training session on Merseyside ahead of their trip to Lisbon to take on Benfica, with Naby Keita‘s return completing a fully fit squad.

The Reds are due to fly to Portugal later on Monday, after Jurgen Klopp holds his pre-match press conference at 2pm BST.

Klopp has been boosted for the Champions League quarter-final, as with Keita back with the squad there are no injuries for the manager to contend with.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 4, 2022: Liverpool players make their way out to a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against SL Benfica. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A fully fit, 28-man squad trained on a grey afternoon in Kirkby, with Curtis Jones (ankle) and Joel Matip (head) also involved after picking up minor issues in the 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday.

Before the session began, Klopp led his players through a round of Happy Birthdays as Harvey Elliott turns 19, the midfielder involved after a 45-minute outing for the Liverpool under-23s at the weekend.

Most of the academy players to have featured in the earlier months of the season are no longer present in first-team training due to a boost in overall fitness.

Goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga and centre-back Rhys Williams were the only other youngsters involved on Monday.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 4, 2022: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against SL Benfica. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Keita’s return is a significant boost to the midfield ranks, with the Guinean likely in contention for a start against Benfica as Klopp looks to preserve first-choice starter Thiago.

A positive result will be needed in the first leg, but there will also be an eye on the trip to Man City on Sunday, with Klopp able to rotate his squad throughout a defining week.


Liverpool squad in training on Monday

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, April 4, 2022: Liverpool players during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match against SL Benfica. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian, Pitaluga, Karius

Defenders: Van Dijk, Matip, Konate, Gomez, Williams, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Tsimikas

Midfielders: Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Keita, Jones, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner

Forwards: Salah, Mane, Jota, Diaz, Firmino, Minamino, Origi