Pre-season 2019: Day one at Melwood

Day one - done

We're wrapping up our coverage from Melwood now, but make sure to keep an eye on the Liverpoolfc.com homepage in the coming hours for quotes from the manager on the signing of Sepp van den Berg, and a full Inside Training compilation video of the day's tests and exercises.

Happy Sepp

We spoke to Sepp van den Berg at the conclusion of his workouts to reflect on a special first LFC experience for the summer signing, who was pleased with day one at his new club.

"It's been great," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "When I walked in, I was quite nervous, but I talked to the players and the staff and I feel at home. It feels good.

"Everybody has been really nice to me, they all said 'hi' and helped me if I had any questions, so it feels a really nice place. Jürgen came to me when I walked in, too, so I'm really excited."

Training photos have landed

We've just published a full gallery of 58 photos covering all of the activities across the opening day of pre-season - check out a selection of them below and click here to view each and every one.

Next steps for Ox and Brewster

And here's a written snippet of that chat with the manager, in which he explains why Brewster and Oxlade-Chamberlain are like 'new players' as the Reds prepare for 2019-20.

The gaffer's first interview of 2019-20

As promised, you can now watch our interview with Klopp this afternoon in full via LFCTV GO below...

The boss is back

We've just caught up with Jürgen Klopp at Melwood - stay logged on to Liverpoolfc.com and LFCTV GO to get his thoughts on a summer as a European champion, being back to work, the next steps for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster, and the signing of Sepp van den Berg.

In the running...

The third lactate testing of the day is in progress, featuring Curtis Jones, Sepp van den Berg, Ben Woodburn and Anderson Arroyo.

The temperature is beginning to rise in West Derby as sunshine breaks through the clouds.

Breaking news

Liverpool expect Naby Keita to be fit to begin his pre-season programme later this month.

The midfielder's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea was ended by a minor adductor strain and he returned to Melwood for further examination.

But Keita is set to be ready to start pre-season training as planned when he is back on Merseyside following his end-of-season break later in July.

Klopp meets Van den Berg

The manager gave a warm welcome to his newest recruit when the pair met at Melwood earlier - take a look at his chat with summer signing Sepp van den Berg below...

The first lactate session of the day is concluded, with James Milner, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Joel Matip and Fabinho taking part.

Up next: Nathaniel Clyne, Nat Phillips, Rhian Brewster, Ki-Jana Hoever, Harry Wilson and Ryan Kent.

A new face...

Sepp van den Berg arrived for his first day at Melwood a little while ago, ready to begin his career as a Liverpool player following his recent transfer from PEC Zwolle.

The lactate test

The players' schedules are staggered throughout the day and the first group - featuring Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matip, Lallana, Fabinho and Gomez - are just undertaking the lactate test, which provides an indicator of endurance levels.

They will run around a track at specific, increasing speeds, with blood samples taken from the ear at intervals to test their heart rate and blood lactate.

Kelleher undergoes minor surgery

Some more breaking news from Melwood and Caoimhin Kelleher is facing up to six weeks out of action after minor surgery.

The goalkeeper underwent a small operation after sustaining a broken wrist.

Kelleher is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department, but is likely to be out of action until August.

Coming up

The Reds will play seven pre-season games before the big kick-off in August - and you can watch every one on LFCTV and LFCTV GO. Rights vary by territory.

It all begins with a trip to Tranmere Rovers next Thursday, before a meeting with Bradford City and then the tour of America in late July.

Here comes Klopp

The gaffer began work at Melwood a short while ago and we'll bring you footage of his arrival back into the building very soon.

We'll also be speaking to Jürgen to get his thoughts on the opening day of pre-season, so stay logged on to Liverpoolfc.com to read and watch the interview.

Shaqiri fitness update

Liverpool will assess the injury sustained by Xherdan Shaqiri during his participation in the UEFA Nations League with Switzerland.

The forward's calf issue will be checked by the Reds' medical team when he returns to Melwood in the coming weeks.

The squad

The following group of 16 players are back at Melwood today: Arroyo, Brewster, Clyne, Fabinho, Gomez, Kent, Hoever, Jones, Lallana, Matip, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phillips, Van den Berg, Wilson, Woodburn.

Early birds

Joe Gomez, Adam Lallana, Joel Matip and James Milner were among the first players we spotted at the training ground around 8am this morning.

Work begins at 8.30am with a series of tests and exercises to kick off pre-season.

Six times

There has been a bit of refurbishment at Melwood since last season, of course...

We're back

The champions of Europe are back to begin preparations for the 2019-20 season and we'll be bringing you live updates from Melwood throughout the day as 16 players return.

Stick with us for photos, videos and more from the training ground as it happens.