Steven Gerrard back on familiar ground as he makes return to Liverpool training

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is back in familiar surroundings this week as he rejoined the first-team squad for training.

The 35-year-old, currently on a post-season Major League Soccer break from Los Angeles Galaxy, was at the club’s Melwood training complex to be put through his paces by Jurgen Klopp yesterday.

Gerrard is keen to maintain his fitness levels prior to his return to pre-season in California in mid-January ahead of his first full campaign in MLS and recently met with Klopp to finalise the details, having previously agreed the opportunity with former boss Brendan Rodgers.

“I’m looking forward to going into the new set-up to having a look at what Klopp’s all about tactically, what he demands of his players and how much he’s changed since the Brendan era,” Gerrard told BT Sport last week.

“You just watch him in those interviews and you just love watching him. He’s got that infectious personality and I’m excited to go and spend some time with him.”

Gerrard, who was at Anfield on Sunday for the 1-0 win over Swansea, will pull on the red shirt again, albeit for the Legends team in a match against their Australian counterparts in Sydney on January 7.

Also among those training on Monday were playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who missed the victory over Swansea with a hamstring problem, and Jon Flanagan, who has not featured for the club since May 2014 after a couple of knee operations.

Meanwhile Liverpool vice-captain James Milner insists the players can handle the growing expectation which has materialised from Jurgen Klopp’s appointment as manager.

A sixth win in seven matches with victory over Swansea at Anfield lifted the Reds to within six points of Premier League leaders Manchester City. Klopp is now having to field questions about an unexpected title tilt.

Milner admits it is almost inevitable such talk is emerging but all the players are focusing on is building on current form to bring success.

“I think it is a talented squad of players, we have a great mix of youth and experience and a new manager; the stadium is being upgraded as well, so I think it is a great time to be involved at the club,” he said.

“It is exciting times for everyone, if we keep working hard, keep improving, keep doing our job, then hopefully we can be successful.

“We just want to keep improving, playing as well as we can and getting the wins on the board, and hopefully get into January and February and still be in all the cup competitions and give ourselves a shot in one of the cups, see where we are in the league and assess it from there.”

Confidence levels were boosted further by the return from long-term injuries of captain Jordan Henderson and striker Daniel Sturridge.

“They are two top players and any team in the league would miss them, it is great they are back,” Milner added.

The Reds face a trip to Southampton in the quarter-final of the Capital One Cup tomorrow and Milner believes it is important to target silverware and not just focus on Champions League qualification.

“It is a great chance of a trophy. We are one game away from semi-finals and then a shot at Wembley. It comes around quickly but it is a great competition. I’ve been lucky enough to win it and hopefully I can win it again.”