Although Darwin Nunez wasn’t observed working out for Liverpool on Wednesday, other things were.In order to continue their preparations for the start of the Premier League season, Liverpool returned to training on Wednesday at the AXA Training Center.

The Reds’ new season begins on Sunday away at Chelsea, and after defeating SV Darmstadt on Monday night in their final preseason friendly, emphasis is already on their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s most recent practice at the AXA Training Center featured a nearly full team as Jurgen Klopp pushed his players through their paces. Here is what we observed with just four days until the start of the new season.

Why Darwin Nunez is absent

Darwin Nunez, who was only able to serve as a substitute against Darmstadt on Monday, was absent from the photos from Liverpool’s most recent training session. Although his absences will continue to draw attention, the Uruguayan was the only one of the Reds’ five senior forwards who did not start against the Bundesliga team, indicating that he would nonetheless come on as a substitute on Sunday.

Club sources, however, have downplayed the possibility that the attacker could be hurt and miss Sunday’s trip to the capital. The ECHO has learned that Nunez was on media business on Wednesday at the AXA Training Center, and that involvement rules out any possibility of a catastrophic injury.

With only four days until the game on Sunday, absences at this point are probably purely preventative measures if availability-related in the event of any probable minor issue, with players participating in alternative sessions as a result. So far, there is no indication that Nunez’s injury is in question.

In addition to Nunez, Conor Bradley and Nat Phillips were also not present. The latter, who reportedly continues to be of interest to Leeds United, hasn’t been seen participating in team practice this summer, while the Northern Ireland international is still out after missing the Singapore tour due to a minor ailment.

Midfielders are back in the gym.

Although news of Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic’s return to team practice over the weekend had already circulated, the two weren’t seen together with their teammates until Wednesday.

The 18-year-old has been sidelined with an adductor ailment since March, while the veteran Spaniard hasn’t played since April following hip surgery. And even though they both returned for preseason at the beginning of July, they have spent the past month focusing on their individual recovery processes.

The two were not included in the squad that traveled to Singapore or the match against Darmstadt, and it seems unlikely that they will be healthy enough to play against Chelsea on Sunday. However, their visible participation in team training was still a positive sign as they ramp up their contributions.

Liverpool still lacks a senior holding midfielder after three bids for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia were turned down. At least Klopp’s present options will soon be strengthened as Thiago and Bajcetic near returns.

On Wednesday, Curtis Jones also worked out as usual. The midfielder was only used as a substitute on Monday night, according to Klopp, who acknowledged feeling something in the days leading up to the game. The 22-year-old is not a doubt for the match against Chelsea though after making it through his cameo appearance uninjured and participating in training.

It remains to be seen, though, whether it means he starts again at number six.

Szobo x Salah

If the most recent training photos are any indication, Mohamed Salah might have a new Liverpool best friend.

The Egyptian and Dejan Lovren, who had a well-known bromance while the Croatian was a Reds player at Anfield, have become good friends since Kostas Tsimikas joined the team.

It appears, though, that he is also making every effort to acclimate new signing Domink Szoboszlai to life at the club. The two, who played on the same football tennis team, were seen enjoying their triumph and hugging one other before posing for photos. Cute.

Youngster watch

A handful of young players have played for Liverpool throughout the summer, as is the case every preseason. But not all of them are still with the first squad as the new season is only a few days away.

After playing against Darmstadt on Monday night, Ben Doak, Bobby Clark, and Jarell Quansah were all seen participating in training on Wednesday. Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros and Marcelo Pitaluga were also there. Luke Chambers was back in squad practice as well, having missed all of preseason because of rumors connecting him to Bayer Leverkusen and Watford.

Doak, Clark, Quansah, and Chambers are candidates for the first team this season if they aren’t loaned out, as shown by their presence. Melkamu Frauendorf, Louie Koumas, James McConnell, Fabian Mrozek, and Calum Scanlon, on the other hand, gave indications that they would be returning to the Under-21s following a memorable summer with the first team.