Georginio Wijnaldum joined up with his new teammates for his first training session as a Liverpool player at Stanford University on Saturday.

The Netherlands international signed a five-year contract to complete a £25 million switch from Newcastle United on Friday, in turn becoming the seventh signing of the summer.

He flew out to the United States the following day to meet up with Jürgen Klopp's squad at their California training base, taking part in his first session later the same day. 

Joining in with the early passing drills, Wijnaldum sat out the more strenuous counter-attacking based practices late on given that he was not long off of an 11-hour flight.

Wijnaldum joined the Reds' other forwards for their session in Stanford. (Picture: This is Anfield)
Wijnaldum joined the Reds' other forwards for their session in Stanford. (Picture: This is Anfield)

Several hundred supporters turned up to watch Klopp's session in blazing heat, with much of the focus on breaking forward with pace and numbers, as well as pressing tactics, throughout various drills and an 11-vs-11 match.

The only absentees were Mamadou Sakho (achilles), Joe Gomez (achilles), Joel Matip (ankle) and Lucas Leiva (hamstring) - with the latter learning that he will miss the start of the season with his injury. 

Belgium duo Divock Origi and Simon Mignolet were both back in action after three weeks off from their involvement at the European Championships in France.

That followed the return of Liverpool's England internationals earlier in the week, all of whom will be keen to build up their fitness levels to feature in their clash with Chelsea at Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday. 

Smith involved but no Benteke whose absence remains unexplained

Brad Smith also took part although the left-back has been allowed to enter discussions with Bournemouth after they had a £6 million bid accepted for the 22-year-old. 

The Australian international will remain with Liverpool's squad in the US until he agrees terms, when he will then return to the UK to undergo a medical and complete any move.

Christian Benteke has flown to the US to join the returning Belgium contingent, but was not involved in Saturday's session as his future at the club remains uncertain.

Crystal Palace's opening bid of £25 million was rejected and it was thought they would return with a £31.5 million bid - some of which would consist of add-ons.

Klopp addresses his first-team squad on Saturday. (Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Klopp addresses his first-team squad on Saturday. (Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

But Alan Pardew's side, who have since had a £20 million bid for West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino turned down, have yet to return with an improved offer.

Benteke, who arrived as the club's second-most expensive signing just a year ago, remains likely to leave the club although it remains to be seen whether they can recoup as much as £30 million of the £32.5 million they paid for the frontman.

The only players absent from duty now are Emre Can and Joe Allen - the only two Liverpool representives to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016

It looks unlikely that Allen will return to the squad, however, after the club accepted a £13 million offer from Stoke City for the midfielder to grant him permission to enter talks with the Potters.

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.