Liverpool's pre-season training got underway earlier in July.

Players who didn't take part in the World Cup, including new signing Fabinho and Naby Keita, began showing up at Melwood on July 2.

Daniel Sturridge was loaned out to West Brom last season but is enjoying training with Liverpool's midfield duo.

“I’m sat next to Keita in the changing room so we share a lot of jokes together," said Sturridge, as per Liverpool's official site.

"Fabinho is a really good guy too. Both are settling in very well and are really good additions to the squad.

“We’re taking [pre-season] one step at a time and building a good foundation for the season ahead.

“We’re looking forward to what will hopefully be a successful one and everyone is excited about it, including myself.”

After guiding the Reds to a Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp is overseeing Liverpool's pre-season training.

On Thursday, the German manager revealed that he's being forced to keep some players away.

England duo Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold aren't due back until August 5, just one week before their Premier League opener against West Ham.

“It was a hard fight to convince Jordan [Henderson] that he needed a holiday. I knew that would happen," said Klopp, as per The Guardian.

"He feels like he needs training every day, a bit like Millie [James Milner].

"On the phone I said: ‘That’s crazy’. Jordan needs a holiday so that means August 5 he will be back.

"Dejan played a day later and had a party in Croatia so he will be back on August 6. That would mean five days training after three weeks holiday.

"I hope we are in a situation where we don’t need to think about using these two against West Ham."

Klopp revealed that Alexander-Arnold also wanted to return for pre-season training early.

“With Trent I have a special agreement. He wanted to be in earlier as well. As he’s very young I said: ‘Okay, have two weeks holiday and then we’ll speak and see’.

"If you asked Trent he would be good to join us in Evian (where Liverpool have a training camp at the end of July) but I’m not sure I will do that.

"I want to have them desperately but the season is really long."

Despite his excellent World Cup, Henderson could be sweating over his place in Klopp's starting XI this season.

The summer arrivals of Keita and Fabinho have brought plenty of competition for places in Liverpool's midfield.