Mohamed Salah is not included in the initial group of Liverpool players returning for pre-season training, with the club confirming the arrival of just eight senior players on the first day.
Pre-season is underway, coinciding with Arne Slot's inaugural press conference as the new head coach.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the club, and there is keen anticipation for the Dutchman's insights and the activities of the available first-team players.
The club has announced that only eight players will check into the AXA Training Centre on Friday, split into two groups of four.
The morning session will feature Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, and Sepp van den Berg, followed by Owen Beck, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Kostas Tsimikas in the afternoon.
Significantly absent from the list are Salah, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Nat Phillips, and Fabio Carvalho, who are likely in the last stretch of their holidays.
For instance, Salah has been vacationing in Greece.
The absence of Elliott, Phillips, and Carvalho is somewhat unexpected, as they did not engage in international duties during the summer, unlike Salah and Endo.
However, they are anticipated to join in the following days, adhering to the same regimen as their colleagues, which initially involves extensive testing.
With 11 senior players still on international assignments and others on vacation, the pre-season kickoff is staggered for Slot and his squad – far from ideal.
With the Premier League season commencing in just 44 days, there's much for Slot, the players, and the club to accomplish.
Players present on day 1: Kelleher, Quansah, Van den Berg, Bradley, Tsimikas, Beck, Bajcetic, Jones
Awaiting return: Phillips, Endo, Morton, McConnell, Elliott, Clark, Carvalho, Salah
Internationals still on duty: Alisson, Jaros, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson.
