Liverpool stars pose in Santa hats as Jurgen Klopp's side train at night ahead of Arsenal clash

  • Liverpool squad were in a festive mood as they trained under the Melwood lights
  • The Reds return to action at the Emirates against Arsenal on Friday night
  • Joel Matip was pictured back in training after missing the last month with injury 

Jurgen Klopp allowed a bit of Christmas cheer into Liverpool's training session at Melwood on Wednesday night.

The Liverpool squad were pictured beaming in festive Santa hats as they took a break from their preparations for Friday night's clash with Arsenal.

After returning to winning ways in emphatic style at Bournemouth at the weekend, Klopp will want his side to send down a marker as the busy schedule hots up over the holiday season.

Liverpool players and Jurgen Klopp enjoy the Christmas festivities at Melwood on Wednesday

Liverpool players and Jurgen Klopp enjoy the Christmas festivities at Melwood on Wednesday

Jurgen Klopp watches his players train under the lights ahead of facing Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp watches his players train under the lights ahead of facing Arsenal

Liverpool play four times in 11 days over the Christmas period as the Premier League approaches its busiest point of the campaign. 


The Reds host Swansea on Boxing Day and Leicester four days later before going to Burnley on New Year's Day.

Everton are then the opponents at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup on January 5 - another Friday night match.

Klopp will be looking to rotate his squad over the next fortnight, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in line to face his former club later this week.

The midfielder has gradually improved since a tough start, claiming the man of the match in the 4-0 win at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Centre-back Joel Matip was back in training after missing the last month through injury

Centre-back Joel Matip was back in training after missing the last month through injury

Roberto Firmino was involved in Wednesday night's session
Adam Lallana made his latest return from injury at Bournemouth

Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana were both involved ahead of the trip to north London

Philippe Coutinho was a star turn at Bournemouth on Sunday and will hope to start again

Philippe Coutinho was a star turn at Bournemouth on Sunday and will hope to start again

And Klopp believes there is still much more to come from him - particularly in front of goal.

'I think the biggest improvement and potential is being involved in goal scoring situations', the German said.

'It is unbelievable but he was not asked for this too much in the past.

Sadio Mane was left on the bench at Bournemouth and is fighting for his first-team place

Sadio Mane was left on the bench at Bournemouth and is fighting for his first-team place

Emre Can stretches his legs as the Liverpool squad are put through their paces

Emre Can stretches his legs as the Liverpool squad are put through their paces

'If you watch Arsenal in the past the past their two decisive players were Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. They are involved in a lot of moments and decisive passes. Always Ozil or Sanchez.

'So then you are not much involved. Then Olivier Giroud when he is coming on the pitch.

'Here we put it on more shoulders, much more shoulders. If Alex is on the pitch he needs to be involved in these situations. At the moment I am fine. It's all good.

'There is a lot of space for improvement as well. It's all good.'