Liverpool have this week welcomed back Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as a trio for the first time in over nine months. 

All three senior centre backs were ruled out for the season at different stages last term and the Reds were left decimated in defence as a result. 

Now, as Jurgen Klopp begins to put the squad through their paces once again in Austria, all three have been involved in the early stages. 

With the start of the Premier League season just weeks away, fans can begin to get excited about the prospect of seeing the stars back in action. 

However, Klopp has somewhat tempered the furore whilst giving an update to the club’s official website. 

The German boss confirmed all the returning players ‘look really good’, before admitting it was Matip who is closest to making a full comeback after an ankle ligament injury ended the £16.2million valued Cameroonian’s 2020/21 campaign. 

There was more good news for Kopites as Klopp suggested England absentee Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back to full involvement in the coming days. 

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Liverpool could go from having a dearth of options to an embarrassment of riches at the back. 

Although both Gomez and Van Dijk may miss the opening day and potentially beyond, Matip and the new signing Ibrahima Konate would be an impressive duo. 

Add newfound heroes Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams to the mix and the Reds have incredible strength in depth with a full compliment fit. 

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Joel Matip & Ibrahima Konate

Joel Matip & Nat Phillips