Liverpool players return for first day of pre-season training at Melwood

Captain Jordan Henderson and England team-mate Daniel Sturridge were among Liverpool’s first-team players that reported back for pre-season training on Wednesday.

Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Lucas Leiva also came in for their first session ahead of the new season, alongside Danny Ings, who continues to step up his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner, Jon Flanagan and Joe Gomez also trained, as did young Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.

But there was no return to training for another youngster, Rhian Brewster, after Liverpool confirmed the England U17 striker has suffered a broken bone in his foot.

Brewster, who was named on the bench for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace in April, is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks.

Senior players including new signing Mohamed Salah, Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho will report back for training in the coming weeks following post-season international commitments.

Liverpool play pre-season friendlies away at Tranmere and Wigan next week before jetting off to Hong Kong to participate in the Premier League Asian Trophy.

Leicester, Crystal Palace and West Brom are the other top-flight sides taking part in the Premier League Asian trophy, which starts on July 19, live on Sky Sports.