Liverpool handed major injury boost as three players remain absent for Real Madrid

Liverpool handed major injury boost as three players remain absent for Real Madrid

Liverpool have continued their preparations for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday

Trent Alexander-Arnold takes part in Liverpool's training session at the AXA Training Centre today (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images )

Liverpool will aim to maintain the 100% start to their Champions League campaign when they entertain holders Real Madrid on Wednesday. The Reds are the only team to have won all four games at the halfway point of the new-look first stage to lead the table, with their Spanish opponents having already lost twice in defence of the trophy.

Arne Slot's squad were at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon to continue their preparations for the match, which is a rerun of the Champions League finals of 2018 and 2022 in which Liverpool were beaten.

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But what could be gleaned from the session?

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Trent boost

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There was a fitness boost for Liverpool before a ball had even been kicked when Trent Alexander-Arnold walked out alongside his team-mates.

The right-back missed Sunday's 3-2 win at Southampton with the low grade hamstring injury that forced him off early on during the 2-0 triumph against Aston Villa a fortnight earlier.

But at Kirkby he was back playing a full part in the session and will now come into consideration for a start against Real Madrid, the team said to be tracking his signature next summer.

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Chiesa continues

Federico Chiesa, Liverpool's summer signing from Juventus, still hasn't featured for the first team since September as he overcomes fitness concerns and adjusting to the intensity of English football.

The Italian, though, made a significant step forward in his return when back training with the first team on Friday,

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And after a separate warm-up with two members of the Liverpool fitness team, on Tuesday a smiling Chiesa then joined in the regular group session.

Alisson wait goes on

Alisson Becker is another player to have been hampered by injury in recent times, absent since tearing his hamstring at Crystal Palace at the start of October.

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The severity of the injury means Liverpool will not rush the Brazilian back into action. And while he was pictured back working in the gym last week, he was not among the group of goalkeepers who took to the pitch at Kirkby.

Harvey Elliott and Jayden Danns, meanwhile, were both again involved in team training as they seek sharpness after long-term foot and back injuries respectively.

Absences noted

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Kostas Tsimikas, who suffered a knock to his ankle in training last week that ruled him out at Southampton, was also missing on Tuesday and faces a short spell on the sidelines, while as expected it was too soon for Diogo Jota to come into contention.

And with the absentee list now down to three, it meant Danns was the only Academy player to be involved despite the additional two places being available on the bench in the Champions League.

Trey Nyoni, the 17-year-old midfielder who has featured in two European squads this season, was instead training with the Academy squad ahead of the UEFA Youth League game against Real Madrid on Wednesday afternoon.

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