Liverpool prepare for next season as they put last year league behind

Loris Karius and a number of Liverpool's first team stars were pictured at Melwood for the start of pre-season.

The goalkeeper came in with a beaming smile as he pulled up in his black Mercedes and is bidding to put the heartbreak of last year's Champions League final behind him.

The German endured a nightmare against Real Madrid and his two blunders proved catastrophic to Liverpool's chances.

Loris Karius seemed to be in high spirits as he smiled broadly upon arrival at Melwood





The German is looking to put the nightmare of last year's Champions League final behind him





Karius (right) was joined by Nathanial Clyne (centre) and Danny Ward



In total, 26 players have started their preparations for the campaign ahead, though a number of the squad remain on international duty at the World Cup or have been afforded an extended break.

Karius was joined at Melwood by two new faces as Fabinho and Naby Keita met their team-mates.

The former Monaco and RB Leipzig midfielders have the chance to impress Klopp and stake a claim for a spot in the engine room of the side.

And Klopp made sure the Guinea international received a warm welcome as he shook his hand and gave him a big hug after bumping into him on the stairs at Melwood on Monday.

Keita, Fabinho and Co were split into groups before they were physically examined.

Each cohort ate breakfast together before heading over to the gym where they performed a number of tests.

These included functional and range of movement examinations before lactate tests were undertaken on the pitch.

 







Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp shakes Naby Keita's hand and gives him a big hug on Monday

New boy Keita was pictured taking a number of functional movement tests at Melwood






Clyne and his team-mates started work for the new campaign on the first day of pre-season
Jurgen Klopp gave Fabinho a hug and the Brazilian met some of his new team-mates

Klopp's men were then be given an hour to rest before returning to the club gym for some more specific assessments such as box jumps.

Dutch duo Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum featured for Holland in an international friendly at the end of last season so have been given more time off.

Both will return slightly later and eight players at the World Cup will rejoin their team-mates even later still.

Dominic Solanke will be looking to prove himself and fight for a role in the first team