DOUBLE BOOST FOR SLOT AHEAD OF SHIELD

LIVERPOOL have been handed a potential double boost ahead of the Community Shield against Crystal Palace after Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker were both pictured back at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.

- By THEO SQUIRES

The pair had sat out the Reds' preseason friendlies against Athletic Bilbao on Monday night.

Arne Slot confirmed the Liverpool captain had missed the two clashes through illness.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian was absent after flying home early from the Reds' preseason tour of the Far East to deal with a personal matter.

It later emerged that he had returned to Brazil to support his wife, Natalia, who had undergone an operation.