Reds get creative as squad returns to training

While no fixed date has yet been set for the resumption of the FA Premier League season amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Liverpool FC’s players are making the most of the return to training as full squad sessions resume.

Jürgen Klopp’s men have been working hard to be ready for competitive action as they look to secure their first league title in 30 years.

They currently sit 25 points clear at the top of the table with nine games remaining.

With the UK government having given the go ahead for the league to resume at some point after 1 June, the Reds have been going through their paces at Melwood.

On Wednesday, it was announced that contact training could begin again, potentially bringing the league’s restart one step closer.

Defender Joe Gomez, who recently celebrated his 23rd birthday, says it’s great to be back with his teammates and building on the work the squad had been doing at home to maintain fitness.

“Obviously it has been great to be back in, under different circumstances,” he told LiverpoolFC.com via video link, prior to receiving the news that full group sessions could resume.

"In a way it’s nice to work our way back into things [after] having such a long break and we’re doing that in a different way; probably not the standard sessions but still exposure to the ball and being among the team and on the pitch, which we haven’t had.

"It’s a different kind of fitness, we’ve been ticking over on the treadmill and doing our road runs, but once you’re on the pitch and doing the high-intensity drills that we do, it’s different again. It’s been good to get up and going.”

With just two wins needed to secure the title, Gomez knows he and his teammates need to hit the ground running as soon as competitive action resumes.

"Yeah, that’s our aim. It’s important we get going and ready. We’re looked after by the sports science on the physical front.

"Tactically, we’ve been straight back into it as much as possible; obviously the gaffer, Pep, Pete and so on, it’s self-explanatory how good they are, so we’re already getting a sense of where we left off, getting familiar in different creative ways of our patterns of play and tactical formations that they’re doing their best to replicate in smaller groups.”

Gomez also paid tribute to the role that captain Jordan Henderson has played in his career to date, and also the leadership shown by the side’s skipper during the COVID-19 shutdown.

"So much credit has got to be given to Hendo,” Gomez added.

"Hopefully within the last few months and seasons he has started to get the recognition he deserves.

"He is an unbelievable person for me. I’m blessed to have had a captain like him over the last five years, [he’s] just been the most approachable person possible and been such a leader in different ways, on and off the pitch.”

Henderson himself says that the side’s performances during the season to date – they’ve amassed an unprecedented 82 points from a possible 87 – are all the motivation they need to get the title wrapped up.

"What we’ve achieved so far is incredible really, as a team,” said the skipper.

"It’s more about using that as motivation within training to keep going, because when the time comes we want to make sure we’re in the best shape we possibly can be to finish off as good as we have been for all season really.

"We want to make sure that when the time is right and we do start playing games again, we pick up where we left off and continue to perform at the highest level, which, looking back, has been incredible for a long period of time.”

Finally, Liverpool FC Women manager Vicky Jepson has thanked fans of the Reds following the news that the Women’s Super League season has been ended.

"These are difficult decisions and it’s obviously disappointing that the season is to end in this way,” she said.

"Myself, the backroom staff and every single player who wears the badge would like to thank all our fans for their loyal support this season.

"It’s had some highs and lows but we’ll never forget the 23,500 who turned up at Anfield for our first WSL derby. We’ll be forever grateful to them and to all those who’ve travelled up and down the country supporting us at every game.

"We now look forward to the chance to play for our supporters again when it is safe for us to all come back together.”