The last few Reds are finally making their return to pre-season training following the summer
break with some of the club’s biggest stars back on show in the latest club video
Liverpool is done and dusted with its pre-season tour of the United States as Arne Slot’s side prepare to return home ahead of the new campaign.
But on their return to the AXA Training Center, they will be greeted by a few familiar faces who were not part of the traveling squad, with Liverpool’s Euro 2024 and Copa America contingent now integrating back into normality following their summer exploits.
In the most recent behind-the-scenes footage uploaded onto X (formerly Twitter), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz can all be seen back in familiar surroundings.
With Reds fans desperate to see some of their favorite stars back in action, here are four things Liverpool.com noticed from their return to Melwood on Sunday.
Nunez enjoys a drink of choice
Strolling in alongside fellow Copa America participant Diaz, Uruguayan striker Nunez made his return to the AXA Training Center for the first time since the end of last season.
Looking happy and cheerful as he walked into the building,
it was great to see the Reds striker back where he belongs.
However, eagle-eyed Kopites may have noticed the 25-year-old carrying a beverage alongside
some other possessions in his left hand, with it believed to be a traditional South American herbal drink called mate.
The drink is a big hit with Nunez and Reds midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who incorporated their love for the beverage into a celebration on several occasions last season. It often involved Mac Allister pouring Nunez a drink,
which he proceeded to taste before giving a thumbs up to show his approval.
Diaz and Nunez show their class
After Nunez and Diaz had walked into the AXA buildings,
the attacking duo then proceeded to greet several club staff at the on-site canteen.
Both players are seen hugging one member of the kitchen staff and saying their hello’s,
before waving and saying “good morning” to some of the other chefs
and hugging a staff member before sitting down for their breakfast.
Nunez and Diaz were kitted out in their Liverpool training gear
and appeared in good spirits as they settled back into life on Merseyside,
with Reds fans sure to be happy with the early footage of both players.
England pair reunited with Dutch duo
Reds defender Gomez was also among the contingent to return to the training ground on Sunday as he linked up with England teammate Alexander-Arnold in the club canteen.
However, the 27-year-old was also spotted chatting alongside Gakpo and Van Dijk,
marking the first time the trio have reunited since England’s Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands.
While Gomez didn’t play a part in that game, or across the whole tournament for that matter,
he was seen sitting with the Dutch pair in the canteen as they sat down for some food
and drink alongside Alexander-Arnold.
Van Dijk ‘home’
One of the players Reds fans were most looking forward to seeing, captain Van Dijk appeared
at the start of the club video walking into the training ground and greeting those behind the camera.
The Dutchman, whose long-term future remains unsolved, can be heard saying “good morning” as he walked up the steps of the AXA building in his full Liverpool training kit.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway of his appearances was how he said
“welcome home” to the camera as he walked by – and with a smile on his face.
Reds fans will be hoping that this is a light nod to Van Dijk committing his future to the club after returning to the place he feels most happy at.