Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez made their long-awaited returns from injury on Thursday night as Jurgen Klopp’s side continued their pre-season preparations with a 4-3 defeat to Hertha Berlin in Tirol.

It had been 284 days since Van Dijk had last laced up his boots for first-team minutes, before his coming together with Jordan Pickford in October’s Merseyside derby subsequently ended his season prematurely.

And Joe Gomez’s season didn’t live on for much longer, as his season was ended following a freak injury sustained whilst on international duty with England a month later.

However, the noise coming out of Kirkby over the previous eight months or so has alluded that the pair have been recovering from their setbacks rather well, proven by their inclusion in Jurgen Klopp’s 34-man squad for this summer’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

Initially Van Dijk and Gomez had only been carrying out one session per-day as the Reds’ medical department weighed up the most efficient way of balancing out the risk vs reward factor.

However, in recent days their progress seems to have been advanced even further with the duo seemingly taking part in as many of the sessions as the rest of their teammates.

Thursday’s game against Hertha Berlin epitomised just how well the duo have been progressing as Klopp had initially ruled them out of the contest against the German side, labelling any cameo from the duo as “unlikely” after Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Mainz last Friday.

But on Monday it was revealed that the duo, Van Dijk especially, would be in contention to play some part in the fixture as Klopp provided an update on the duo’s progress.

“In training, they both look really good,” the boss said.

And the moment the pair would’ve spent hours dreaming about during the rehabilitation battle finally came to fruition with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Gomez and Van Dijk rather fittingly replaced their deputies from last season, Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips, to the rapturous applause of the 11,000 fans inside the scenic setting of the Tivoli Stadium.

Like with any long-term injury, there was certainly no emphasis on the performance in their first outing, especially as Liverpool’s No.4 seemed to go disposed of rather easily as Stevan Jovetic grabbed his second and Hertha’s fourth of the night.

And Klopp was full of praise for the comebacks of his Premier League winning duo, casting the result to one side and appreciating the importance of the duo getting their pre-season officially up and running.

“It was a nice feeling, eh?” Klopp said in his post-match interview. “Usually, we all know the fourth goal, we defend that situation well. But it’s nice to have them back. [It’s the] first step, really important.”

With just over two weeks until Liverpool begin their Premier League season against Norwich at Carrow Road, the boss has a dilemma on his hands as he’s blessed with a wealth of suitable centre-back options.

In fact, there were seven centre backs in the squad vs. Hertha, including unused sub Billy Koumetio. Plus the mysterious Ben Davies who is back in the UK for the past week for “personal reasons.”

With Van Dijk and Gomez only just beginning to get minutes into their legs, it seems unrealistic to believe that they’ll be in contention to start any of Liverpool’s games before the September international break.

But with the arrival of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, it looks like it could be Gomez who, once again, has to fight back and prove his quality.

Konate, who made a £36 million switch from Leipzig, has already shown his fantastic recovery pace and desire to bring the ball out from the defence during his minutes in a red shirt so far.

Given that Joel Matip has also had his own fitness demons during his time at Anfield, no more so than last season when he was ruled out from January onwards with ankle ligament damage, it’s hard to predict exactly which pairing will become the Reds’ first-choice by wintertime.

One thing that is for sure is that Klopp will have to rotate between his options like never before even when he has all of his options fit and available – not wanting to risk any setbacks.

Especially given the nature of Van Dijk and Gomez’s injuries, and with the Dutchman recently turning 30, they will have to be extremely cautious as to how the duo are deployed over the coming months.

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that the pair’s game time could be almost halved compared to the numbers they’ve racked up in recent seasons, as Klopp searches for the optimum formula of keeping his key men fit whilst also challenging on multiple fronts this season.

And whilst it remains to be seen who will be given the nod to partner van Dijk this season, one thing that is for sure is that supporters certainly won’t be seeing either of the defenders play three times a week, given the options Klopp and Liverpool now boast.

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In 1907, Walter Richards painted Modern Liverpool and even by Edwardian standards, the scene — a narrow one — did not seem particularly modern.

Somewhere beneath a pervading sense of gloom explained by the desperation of its dockside slums (absent from the image) and a wealth gap comparable to Calcutta or Bombay, the most significant commercial property was owned by White Star, the shipping line that commissioned the Titanic.

Five years later, the names of the doomed vessel’s deceased were announced from the balcony of what is now called the Albion House, a Grade II*-listed building, as an anxious crowd waited below.

Not far away you can see St Nicholas’ church, where a fertile lawn conceals a pit where plague victims are still buried. The fringes of the Albert Dock are also there (then very much a workplace rather than a tourist destination), as well as Lime Street station and its railway lines running south east from the magnificent St George’s Hall.

Neither of the city’s two cathedrals is pictured, nor the Cunard Building, which became the mayor’s headquarters under Joe Anderson, who was removed from his position after his arrest in late 2020 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation — allegations he denies.

In 2017, Anderson had a copy of Modern Liverpool attached to the wall of his office. Looking at the drawing, he nodded at the Port of Liverpool and the Liver Buildings, which stood on either side of the structure he was operating from a century after its completion.

“See,” he said, stressing his point. “When they went up, people objected to them because they were too high. Now, the three buildings are called the Three Graces.”

The grandeur of the waterfront had since helped Liverpool become a Maritime Mercantile City.

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Watch all the goals, highlights, a full replay and more from Liverpool's pre-season friendly with Hertha BSC on LFCTV GO now.

“Onwards and upwards,” declared Joe Gomez after returning to action for Liverpool in Austria on Thursday night.

Jurgen Klopp says Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both made an "important first step" in their return from long-term injuries after featuring in Thursday's 4-3 friendly defeat to Hertha Berlin.

The centre-backs came on in the 69th minute after being out of action for over nine months.

Van Dijk has been out since last October with an ACL injury, and days later Gomez was also sidelined for the year when he did damage to his left knee, requiring surgery.

Both had been training with Liverpool in their pre-season camp in Austria, but despite Klopp saying they were unlikely to play any minutes against Hertha Berlin, he sprung a surprise by introducing the pair in the second half.

Image: Klopp initially said he did not expect Gomez or Van Dijk to play against Hertha Berlin

After the game, Klopp said: "It was a nice feeling. Started immediately well and usually we all know that the fourth goal is a clear situation which saw and defend well. But that's it.

"I'm not sure, 260-something days for Virg and not much less for Joe they didn't play football, so it's nice to have them back. It was the first step, really important."

Van Dijk: Hard to express my feelings

Van Dijk thanked his surgeon and Liverpool staff for helping him in his recovery, admitting he found it difficult to describe how he felt after his long-awaited comeback.

285 days ago, I started on a journey back towards playing. It’s hard to express how I am feeling, but it’s important to me that I say I feel blessed to have had the support of so many incredible people. The surgeon, my physios, coaches and staff who have been with me in my 1/2 pic.twitter.com/jdWKUHykDI

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) July 29, 2021

"285 days ago, I started on a journey back towards playing," said Van Dijk, writing on Twitter.

"It's hard to express how I am feeling, but it's important to me that I say I feel blessed to have had the support of so many incredible people.

"The surgeon, my physios, coaches and staff who have been with me in my corner since day one.

"My team-mates for giving me energy and keeping my head up. The fans for their love, support and encouragement.

"And most of all, my family because without them, I'd be nothing. Thank you"

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Virgil van Dijk delivered an emotional message via social media after he returned to the pitch for Liverpool on Thursday night.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is determined to make goalscoring a habit after clinically dispatching a volley in Liverpool's friendly against Hertha BSC on Thursday night.

Virgil van Dijk has reflected on a difficult journey that took 285 days from his ACL injury to a comeback for Liverpool, saying “the work doesn’t stop now.”

It took the best part of the year after Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge in the Merseyside derby for Van Dijk to be considered ready for action again.

As he stepped up to the touchline alongside another long-term absentee in Joe Gomez, the relief and joy was etched on the Dutchman’s face, replacing Nat Phillips for the final 20 minutes of a pre-season friendly.

The result – a 4-3 loss to Hertha Berlin – was academic, with Van Dijk and Gomez’s return to the field the overriding positive as Liverpool work their way back to sharpness ahead of the Premier League kickoff.

There is still a way to go for Jurgen Klopp‘s centre-back pair, with the manager describing it as a “first step” towards getting back into the side.

But the magnitude of the occasion was felt by Van Dijk as he took to social media with an emotional message after the game in Innsbruck, thanking the staff, his team-mates, the fans and his family for their support.

“285 days ago, I started on a journey back towards playing,” he wrote.

“It’s hard to express how I am feeling, but it’s important to me that I say I feel blessed to have had the support of so many incredible people.

“The surgeon, my physios, coaches and staff who have been with me in my corner since day one. My teammates for giving me energy and keeping my head up. The fans for their love, support and encouragement.

“And most of all, my family because without them, I’d be nothing.

“Thank you. The work doesn’t stop now. It’s only just starting. We keep going!”

Van Dijk’s next opportunity for game time will come against Bologna on August 5, with Liverpool to play two 60-minute friendlies against the Serie A club in Evian, France.

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Jürgen Klopp offered his reaction to Liverpool's 4-3 defeat to Hertha BSC in Thursday's friendly and the return to action of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.

Jurgen Klopp described Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez‘s return for Liverpool as the “first step” as his centre-back pair played for the first time in 2021 against Hertha Berlin.

A long 285 days after his ACL injury in the Merseyside derby, Van Dijk was back on the pitch as a late substitute in the Reds’ 4-3 pre-season friendly defeat.

He was joined on the touchline by Gomez, 261 days after his own knee injury suffered on England duty, as they took over from Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams for the final 20 minutes against Hertha.

It wasn’t the ideal result for the pair, with Van Dijk in particular involved as Stefan Jovetic scored his second of the night to seal victory for the Bundesliga outfit.

But it was a monumental occasion for both, as they got through their cameo appearance without issue and were cheered on by a 15,000-strong crowd in Innsbruck.

Klopp was among those watching on with a smile as their every touch got a positive reception, and speaking to LFCTV after the game he welcomed a “really important” step.

“It was a nice feeling,” the manager said.

“[They] started immediately well, and usually they all know that but the fourth goal is a clear situation [they can deal with].

“I’m not sure, [285] days for Virg, not much less for Joe, so it’s nice to have them back. It was the first step, really important.”

The priority at this stage is game time for Van Dijk and Gomez, and managing their minutes when they are able to pick them up, rather than performance.

With four more friendlies to go – including two 60-minute games against Bologna next week that could see them play at least half an hour – they can continue to build up their workload before the campaign kicks off.

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Hertha Berlin got the better of Liverpool in a seven-goal thriller, but it was the return from injury of both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez that will have pleased manager Jurgen Klopp the most.

​​​In their second pre-season game of their summer tour of Austria, Klopp's team soon found themselves 2-0 down after goals from Santiago Ascacibar and Suat Serdar's wonder strike.

However, Liverpool rallied to go in level at the break thanks to well-taken efforts from Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino, only for substitute Stevan Jovetic's second-half double to give Hertha the spoils.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did pull a goal back late on, although it was the sight of Van Dijk and Gomez playing the last 20 minutes at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol that will have mattered most to Klopp come the full-time whistle.

Team news

So the headline team news from Austria was that both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were back on the bench after long-term knee injuries. New signing Ibrahima Konate and the returning Joel Matip remained at centre-back, with Kostas Tsimikas at left-back and Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.

In midfield were Naby Keita, captain James Milner and Harvey Elliott, but Divock Origi missed out with a minor knock and Xherdan Shaqiri was also absent with doubts over his future at Anfield.

First-half team: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas; Milner, Keita, Elliott; Mane, Salah, Minamino
Second-half team: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Williams, Robertson, Milner, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Salah, Mane

How Van Dijk and Gomez returned to boost Reds

If Klopp's team were expecting an easy introduction in Innsbruck, then were much mistaken as after a Liverpool-dominated opening period, Hertha soon raced into a surprise two-goal lead.

Ascacibar bundled the Bundesliga team ahead after 21 minutes, only to be taken off after being injured stretching to touch home Marvin Plattenhardt's inviting free-kick, before Serdar doubled their lead 10 minutes later with an eye-catching strike.

There appeared little danger when the midfielder gained possession in the box, however, from the tightest of angles, he somehow found the top corner of the net with an exquisite volley.

Liverpool were more than a little unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 behind, but were soon level as Konstantinos Tsimikas took advantage of Alexander Schwolow's poor throw to set up Mane for a close-range finish eight minutes before half-time.

Then with just three minutes to go to the break, Naby Keita released Mohamed Salah in the box and from the forward's gorgeous back heel, there was Minamino to complete the comeback.

Liverpool continued to dominate after the interval, only to somehow find themselves behind again as substitute Jovetic stole in behind Nat Phillips to head home midway through the second period.

All eyes were soon directed towards the touchline as finally, after a raft of changes, Klopp finally brought on centre-backs Van Dijk and Gomez for the last 20 minutes, their first runouts since both damaged ACLs last autumn.

It was not to be the fairytale ending though as Jovetic, faced with just Van Dijk to beat on the edge of the area, turned the Dutchman inside out, before firing home his second with 10 minutes to go.

Van Dijk did then play a role in his side's late consolation, with his header causing confusion in the Hertha box, before Oxlade-Chamberlain rifled an unstoppable volley into the net two minutes from time.

But it was too little, too late for Klopp's men, not that the German would have minded though after seeing his two central defenders come through their 20-minute comebacks unscathed.

Made to look a fool for Hertha's fourth, but who cares?

Analysis by Sky Sports' Richard Morgan:

It has been nine long months for Liverpool fans waiting for the return of Virgil van Dijk, the rock at the heart of their defence and one of the main reasons behind the club's then domination of English and European football.

The Netherlands international suffered a horrific knee injury in last October's Merseyside derby, ruling him out of the whole of last season, as well as this summer's Euros.

As a result, Klopp's team produced a disjointed title defence, eventually limping home third after a late end-of-season rally, but that is all forgotten now following the centre-back's return against Hertha on Thursday night.

285 days ago, I started on a journey back towards playing. It’s hard to express how I am feeling, but it’s important to me that I say I feel blessed to have had the support of so many incredible people. The surgeon, my physios, coaches and staff who have been with me in my 1/2 pic.twitter.com/jdWKUHykDI

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) July 29, 2021

corner since day one. My teammates for giving me energy and keeping my head up. The fans for their love, support and encouragement. And most of all, my family because without them, I’d be nothing. Thank you. The work doesn’t stop now. It’s only just starting. We keep going! 2/2 pic.twitter.com/OiNLMLO44q

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) July 29, 2021

Van Dijk may have only played the last 20 minutes in Austria, not surprisingly looking rusty in that time alongside fellow returnee Joe Gomez, but it is the vital first step on the road to hopefully a full recovery.

Yes, the 30-year-old was made to look like a novice defender by Stevan Jovetic for Hertha's fourth and final goal, but it is now miles in his legs and minutes on the clock that matter more than any marks for artistic impression.

Liverpool supporters will just pray there are no niggly little injuries for the pair after a first workout in almost a year.

What's next?

Liverpool take on La Liga side Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Sunday, with the pre-season friendly kicking off at 4pm.

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Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez made their long-awaited returns from injury as Liverpool were beaten 4-3 by Hertha BSC in a pre-season friendly on Thursday.

Liverpool will take on Bologna in two 60-minute games as part of the Evian leg of their pre-season training camp.

Liverpool will take on Bologna in two 60-minute games as part of the Evian leg of their pre-season training camp.

The Reds will face the Serie A side in hour-long matches at 3pm and 5pm BST on Thursday August 5 as preparations continue ahead of 2021-22.

After almost three weeks in Austria, with camps in both Salzburg and Tirol, Jürgen Klopp will take his squad to France on Saturday.

The manager said: “It’s now the last game in Austria, then we go to France. We have there two 60-minute games against Bologna.

“Then we get home finally – Anfield is calling. We are getting closer, the start of the season is not too far away anymore so we should be better prepared.”

Both fixtures will be broadcast live and exclusive on LFCTV GO. Sign up now and receive your first month free by using the code 2122GOFREE. Terms and conditions apply.

• Watch Liverpool's pre-season games live and exclusive on LFCTV GO - plus match highlights, training access, interviews and the latest news. Subscribe at www.liverpoolfc.com/watch and use code 2122GOFREE to get your first month free. T&Cs apply.

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Liverpool face Hertha Berlin in Austria this evening, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez back in the squad. We’re live to bring you the latest.

Kickoff at the Tivoli Stadium in Tirol is 7.20pm (UK).

Tonight’s blog is run by Henry Jackson, get involved by Tweeting @thisisanfield, @HenryJackson87 and in the comments below.

Teams

Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas; Milner, Keita, Elliott; Salah, Mane, Minamino

Substitutes: Adrian, H.Davies, Van Dijk, Gomez, Phillips, R.Williams, Koumetio, Robertson, N.Williams, Bradley, Beck, Clarkson, Cain, Morton, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gordon, Jota

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Liverpool will play two 60-minute friendlies against Serie A side Bologna next week, with Jurgen Klopp confirming their plans ahead of a move to France for the next stage of pre-season.

The Reds had been expected to schedule another friendly between Thursday night’s clash with Hertha Berlin and the Anfield double-header against Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna.

It was then reported that Bologna would be the opposition as Liverpool move from Austria to France for a brief training camp.

Speaking to LFCTV before Thursday’s clash with Hertha, the manager has now confirmed that his side will play two 60-minute friendlies against the Italian club.

“It’s now the last game in Austria, then we go to France, we have two 60-minute games against Bologna there,” Klopp said.

“Then we get home – finally, Anfield is calling! We’re getting closer. The season is not too far away anymore, so we should be better prepared.”

Liverpool have confirmed the two friendlies will be played on August 5, with kickoffs at 3pm and 5pm (BST), though the exact location hasn’t been announced.

This would suggest that the games will be held at the Reds’ training camp in Evian behind closed doors without fans in attendance.

Bologna finished 12th in last season’s Serie A, and have friendlies lined up against Dortmund (July 30) and Pordenone (August 8) either side of their clashes with Liverpool.

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Virgil van Dijk is in the Liverpool squad for the first time in nine months tonight, with the centre-back on the bench for the pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin.

The Reds close out the Austria leg of their pre-season schedule by taking on Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin, following an unbeaten run against Wacker Innsbruck, Stuttgart and Mainz.

It has been a steady summer for Jurgen Klopp‘s side so far, with key players eased back to full fitness and players returning from internationals getting minutes as the weeks go by.

Tonight could bring a landmark as Van Dijk looks to play for the first time since suffering his ACL injury in October’s Merseyside derby, with the Dutchman on the bench.

Ibrahima Konate, Harvey Elliott and Takumi Minamino are among the starters in Innsbruck, with Klopp likely to take a similar approach to last week’s 1-0 win over Mainz, in which he started his strongest possible side and used his bench to manage their fitness.

After almost a week of uninterrupted training, fans could see a more fluid display this time around, though pre-season is all about gaining sharpness ahead of the Premier League kickoff.

The substitutes’ bench sees Joe Gomez take his place alongside Van Dijk, with it likely they both get minutes at some stage.

Divock Origi is among the absentees with the club claiming he has taken a knock, while Loris Karius, Marcelo Pitaluga, Ben Woodburn and Mateusz Musialowski are also not in the squad.

Following tonight’s clash with Hertha, the Reds are slated to play Bologna in France on August 5, before back-to-back meetings with Athletic Club (August 8) and Osasuna (August 9) at Anfield.

Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas; Milner, Keita, Elliott; Salah, Mane, Minamino

Substitutes: Adrian, H.Davies, Van Dijk, Gomez, Phillips, R.Williams, Koumetio, Robertson, N.Williams, Bradley, Beck, Clarkson, Cain, Morton, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gordon, Jota

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Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are named on the bench for Liverpool’s pre-season encounter with Hertha BSC in Innsbruck tonight – watch live on LFCTV GO from 6.30pm BST.

The pair are among the substitutes and could make their long-awaited returns from respective injuries.

Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson are also on the bench, while Ibrahima Konate begins the game alongside Joel Matip.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas, Milner, Keita, Elliott, Mane, Salah, Minamino.

Subs: Adrian, H. Davies, Van Dijk, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Jota, Robertson, R. Williams, Phillips, Gordon, Beck, Cain, Clarkson, N. Williams, Morton, Bradley, Koumetio.

• Watch the game live and exclusive on LFCTV GO from 6.30pm BST - visit www.liverpoolfc.com/watch to subscribe and use code 2122GOFREE to get your first month free. T&Cs apply.

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