LIVERPOOL stepped up their preparations for the return of the Premier League by staging an 11vs11 training session at Anfield on Monday.
Sadio Mane and Naby Keita both netted as the Reds acclimatised to playing in front of an empty Kop end.
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Sadio Mane was back in the groove with a goal at AnfieldCredit: PA:Press Association
The club confirmed the training session focused on a series of 11vs11 scenarios to increase their readiness for match situations.
And Liverpool players took a moment during Monday’s workout to show their support for the racial justice protests taking place across the United States, and in London.
Jordan Henderson and Co took a knee in the centre circle and posted “Unity is strength” on social media following the police killing of unarmed African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The session also observed coronavirus protocols with a staff member spotted in the stands wearing protective equipment.
The two sides donned home and away kits as Mane rounded Adrian for one goal before Keita held off Joe Gomez for a second.
Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Harvey Elliott formed part of the Red team with Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain among their opponents.
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Georginio Wijnaldum missed the session as a precaution, due to a knock.
Assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders told the club website: “We wanted to give the players the feeling of playing and competing without a crowd.
“We are just going step by step back to our way of playing, knowing that we have to work hard in training and be really committed to our principles to reach the same level that we had.
“Today was an important step in that direction; firstly getting familiar with the process around the games and secondly giving our squad playing time and competition very close to the environment that we will have in the future.”
More Premier League clubs are hoping to utilise their stadiums for similar preparations in the coming weeks ahead of the division’s June 17 restart.
Liverpool are on the verge of a historic title, boasting a 25-point lead having won all but two of their league matches in 2019/20.
Robertson, Wijnaldum and Minamino arrive at Melwood Training Facility as blue testing tent can be seen at entrance
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
