The World Cup may be in full swing at the moment, but the hamster wheel of football never stops, and pre-season is already underway for a number of Premier League teams.
Liverpool were the latest club to arrive back to work on Monday morning with those players not in Russia making their return to Melwood alongside Jurgen Klopp and the coachig staff. It barely seems a few weeks ago that Liverpool were left crushed in the wake of their Champions League final defeat, but it is clear from the pictures of their first day back, they are looking to the future.
Jurgen Klopp was at the centre of the attention as is normally the case as almost every player and employee seemed to get a giant hug from the German boss, including the tea ladies!
Special cuddles were reserved for Naby Keita and Fabinho who both seemed to enjoy their first day at the club having only signed in the last few weeks.
The World Cup players are of course being given extra time off but there were some interesting additions to training on the first day of pre-season. Daniel Sturridge is back at the club following his poor spell at West Brom on loan whilst Joel Matip also looked to be taking a full part after he missed the back end of last season with an injury.
The star of the show though was James Milner as the Englishman beasted the early season fitness tests.
The former Man City man was the last man standing in what looked like a brutal fitness test in the baking sun at the training complex at Melwood. Adam Lallana was the only player to be able to live with Milner but in the end even he was no match for one of the most experienced players in the squad.
The 32-year-old has always been known for his engine, but he is clearly still at the peak of his game and he will need to be following the big money arrivals into the club in his position.
This is seriously impressive...
