Liverpool will begin preparations for the 2021/22 domestic campaign today as the stars return from around the world over the coming weeks.
Following heartbreak, for Brazilian trio Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino in the Copa America final defeat against Argentina, Reds’ captain Jordan Henderson was also on the losing side as England lost to Italy on penalties.
For the rest of Jurgen Klopp’s squad, their international summers ended some time ago and attention can now turn to club matters.
On Sunday the club’s official Twitter account released images of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah reporting for duty in Austria, whilst Liverpool FC News had footage of new signing Ibrahima Konate already getting to work.
Twitter: Love this man already! https://t.co/D8rXnDnser (@LivEchoLFC)
All three men will have a huge part to play as Klopp’s side look to avenge what was a less than inspiring campaign after the title-winning success in 2019/20.
Despite an otherwise disappointing season, the injury-ravaged Reds rallied late on to finish third and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Salah’s goals were perhaps to thank for keeping Liverpool in the hunt, the Egyptian finishing the season with 22 strikes in 37 Premier League outings.
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Perhaps bizarrely but most certainly fortunately for Klopp, a host of Anfield stars were somewhat underworked on duty for their countries.
The likes of Thiago, Henderson, Firmino and Fabinho all played bit-part roles for their nations and will return in due course fresh and raring to go.
Only Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri were truly fully emersed in their respective sides, although all three were eliminated relatively early into proceedings.
This should hopefully mean Liverpool have a fully fit, mentally prepared squad to work with – including returning trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
