Joe Gomez has revealed the « essential » part of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations which has aided the players’ recovery between friendly matches.
The Reds are currently gearing up for the defence of their first Premier League crown at a training camp in Austria, with a Community Shield final clash against FA Cup winners Arsenal fast approaching.
Jurgen Klopp’s men opened their pre-season programme by beating Stuttgart 3-0 on Saturday, with goals from Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Rhian Brewster wrapping up a comfortable victory.
Liverpool have one more friendly to take in before their focus switches to the meeting with Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday, with a clash against Red Bull Salzburg set to take place on Tuesday afternoon.
The Merseyside outfit were only granted three weeks off after their final-day victory over Newcastle on July 26, and Gomez has now explained that afternoon siestas are helping the squad to cope with the demands of a quick turnaround between seasons.
« Essential. Not much beats an afternoon nap, » Gomez told Liverpool’s official website of the importance of getting in extra rest after training sessions.
« It’s more so for recovery and just switching off a little bit. There’s not much else to do and I suppose that’s the point of a training camp really. »
The England international went on to address James Milner’s claim that he led an 80-pass rondo during a recent session, which he was not involved in.
Gomez also discussed Klopp’s desire to mirror the intensity of matchdays in training, as he added: « Fortunately I wasn’t in that box, but I can imagine it.
« Millie’s box is always intense. You never want to be stuck in the middle and have to go again.
« It’s good. In different phases and in different things, we’re always competitive and it works well that way.
« You’ve got to train the way you play, I suppose, and that’s something the gaffer emphasises.
« It’s obviously at times been tough and had some tired legs on some days, but it’s part and parcel and you can’t expect anything different in pre-season really. »
Gomez went on to admit that the Liverpool squad are more focused on putting in a strong performance against Arsenal than impressing during in friendly matches.
The Reds defender added: « In terms of the game the other day, I think a lot of us had in mind, ‘In a week from now we play in the Community Shield’.
« We’ve got to emphasise getting in the rhythm of things and getting the good habits back in place as soon as possible.
« Even though it’s a short break, it’s obviously important we hit the ground running and in less than a week now there’s a trophy up for grabs.
« I definitely think we can’t just treat them as friendlies and more so the foundations to put in a good performance on the weekend. »
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SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
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