The Liverpool team of Jurgen Klopp is back in Merseyside for the first time in almost six weeks

The Reds arrived back in the typical damp, windy, and chilly UK late last week after their trip to Dubai, which is quite the difference to the sunlight they had just experienced, however, their arrival to the AXA Training Center marks the end of the World Cup break, and Liverpool's Carabao Cup defence is their first stop. 

It begins a stretch of five games in 16 days, and Klopp will need his entire team as the Reds attempt to turn around a difficult 2022–23 season. With just a few days until Liverpool resumes competitive play, Klopp's team is taking shape beautifully as he welcomed back a number of his World Cup representatives.

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Jordan Henderson conducted some solo training in Dubai, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Fabinho, and the rest of the Reds were present and active on Monday, however, Virgil van Dijk is still missing, which is not entirely unexpected given that the Dutchman played the most minutes of any Red in the World Cup (480) and thus far this season (1,890).

If there is one player who needs a long break, it's him, however, it's likely that Alisson, Fabinho, Henderson, and Alexander-Arnold will all be in the running to play on Thursday, the only Red who has not yet arrived from Qatar is Ibrahima Konate, and he won't do so until after Christmas. Curtis Jones was not present.

Champions League matchup against Real Madrid

Due to a long-term calf injury, Diogo Jota is not anticipated to return to action until mid-February, with the Champions League matchup against Real Madrid as a potential test of his recovery, the No. 20 was with the team when they travelled to Dubai, and while he is recovering, he is seen working out in the gym with his teammates, It will have been a further advantage, as healing from an injury can be a difficult and isolating process.