Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that they players will be able to run a marathon but they can’t dribble as they return to training.
The Premier League have said that players can start training ahead of the restart of the Premier League, and Liverpool have decided to get the lads back in small groups.
There have been some worries about getting things back under way, with Watford captain Troy Deeney speaking out about his concerns, but Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have many issues with it.
Liverpool have been keeping the first team squad fit as they’ve been told to train from home. We’ve seen plenty of video clips from their Zoom sessions as the club have been thinking about novel ways to keep the group in shape.
But all of that has built up their running fitness, and Klopp has said that there are no issues in that regard. However, things might get tricky when they get the ball at their feet.
"The Mirror reported that he said: “From a physical point of view, the boys are in a good shape, they could run a marathon probably.“But we have to start getting used to the pitch, football boots and balls again; that’s a big challenge these football-specific things, make all the difference.More from Rush The KopSet to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back homeLiverpool making late comebacks all the rage once againWolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international dutyPlayers to watch in the matchup with WolvesPredicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures“The boys are fit but the moment you start playing football, you can see how different it is. That’s what we have to get through and we will get through it.”"
Liverpool will now have to embark on a mini preseason and will need to get back to their normal training. Their physical fitness might not be as low as it usually is when the group gets together to start a new campaign, but Klopp is concerned about the lack of time playing football.
COVID-19 has thrown up a whole host of issues and this is just one of them. After a strict testing regime is put in place, teams will be able to gather together as take part in full training.
Whether or not the Reds will be at their full-flowing best remains to be seen, although before this enforced break Klopp’s side was faltering a little bit and perhaps this break could have done them some good.
It’ll certainly help injured players like Xherdan Shaqiri or Alisson get back to full fitness, and that’ll be good for squad depth.