FeatureMo silverware, Dom denies and who's top of the leaderboard? Seven things spotted in training
Check out seven things we spotted during our access with the Liverpool squad at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.
We tracked Arne Slot’s champions throughout the day as they stepped up preparations to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday evening.
Read on for the extra-curricular moments that caught our eye…
Mo(re) silverware…
Mohamed Salah had a little extra luggage with him when he arrived in Kirkby on Thursday morning.
It was the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year trophy, to be exact, with the Liverpool No.11 having received the prestigious annual prize for a record third time on Tuesday night.
The shimmering silver was mirrored by a bright smile upon the Egyptian’s face as he carried another piece of recognition for his remarkable 2024-25 campaign.
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Hot off the press…
Speaking of that Premier League-winning past season, Reds players got a sneak peek at a new book celebrating the title triumph under Slot.
20: The Official Champions’ Celebration will be released next month, telling the story of all of the club’s 20 top-flight successes and including exclusive interviews and analysis from the most recent last term.
Squad members new and old eagerly flicked through the pages of the publication before getting training under way, and signed copies for each other too.
Leoni with the lads...
Thursday’s access to the champions at the training ground was our first since a busy Friday on and off the pitch last week.
Just hours before Liverpool’s dramatic late victory over AFC Bournemouth at Anfield to kick off the Premier League season, the arrival of a new defender had been confirmed.
Italy U19 international Giovanni Leoni completed his permanent transfer to the Reds from Serie A side Parma on a long-term deal.
And the No.15 has got straight down to business as he settles in to his new team and environment.
Indeed, Slot said at his pre-match press conference: “He comes in as an 18-year-old just playing with his new teammates as if he is here for longer. Impressive.”
Top of the leaderboard…
A gym-based competition has emerged at the AXA Training Centre – and Andy Robertson now sets the standard.
The ‘Chin Up Hold Challenge’ puts the players’ strength and endurance to the test, and comes complete with a leaderboard.
Leapfrogging Cody Gakpo to sit proudly at the top of the list following Thursday’s session is the Scotland captain…
An eclectic playlist…
As always, the day’s indoor endeavours before heading out onto the pitch were undertaken to the backdrop of music at the coffee bar and gym.
Quite the mix of tunes were heard.
As well as the more usual dance numbers, during the latest episode of Inside Training we picked out a bit of Frank Sinatra, Boney M.’s Daddy Cool and some Eminem along the way.
Bradley’s back…
There was the pleasing sight of Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley being back involved with his teammates on Thursday.
An injury had prevented the right-back from participating in the FA Community Shield at Wembley or the win against Bournemouth.
But the No.12 was able to take another step forward in his recovery and a timely one, too, with Jeremie Frimpong now unfortunately set for an absence.
Dom denies…
Hugo Ekitike got on the scoresheet in each of his two competitive appearances for Liverpool so far, including in a Player of the Match display versus Bournemouth.
And the Frenchman looked like he would hit the target once more when, ahead of on-pitch training commencing, he tried his luck at the oft-taken challenge of curling in a finish from a distance behind a goal.
The ball appeared to be arcing nicely into the net. Until Dominik Szoboszlai cheekily thwarted his teammate by blocking the effort near the goalline.
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