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The countdown is on to the start of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations.

When Jurgen Klopp’s squad reconvene at Melwood on July 2 numbers will be swelled by the return of those who spent last term out on loan.

Striker Samed Yesil won’t be back following his stint at FC Luzern as his contract expires, while keeper Lawrence Vigouroux is expected to complete a permanent move to Swindon Town,

But for the rest of the loanees Liverpool’s pre-season schedule provides the opportunity to advance their careers. For some it’s about proving to Klopp they should be part of his plans going forward. For others it’s simply about using the friendlies to put themselves in the shop window to secure a decent move elsewhere.

What’s clear is that with many of the Reds’ international contingent not due back at Melwood until later in pre-season, Klopp will be relying heavily on those on the fringes when Liverpool kick-off against the likes of Tranmere (July 8), Fleetwood (July 13), Wigan (July 17) and Huddersfield (July 20) prior to the tour of America.

James Pearce runs the rule over those returning to the club from loan and what their prospects are at Anfield.

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Andre Wisdom

The 23-year-old defender’s future is uncertain after an underwhelming 2015/16 season on loan at Norwich City.

Wisdom failed to hold down a place at Carrow Road - making just 14 appearances in all competitions for the relegated Canaries as injuries hampered his progress.

The England Under-21s international signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool prior to going out on loan last summer but he faces an uphill battle to salvage his Reds career.

Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to take him to Celtic and a proposed £3million move could suit all parties later in the window.

Mario Balotelli

Liverpool are desperate to get the controversial Italian striker off the wage bill but so far there have been no takers. As it stands Balotelli will be reporting back to Melwood for pre-season.

AC Milan weren’t interested in keeping him after he netted just three goals in 23 appearances for them last season.

There was interest from Chinese Super League clubs which led to the Reds hoping they might even recoup the £16million they paid Milan for him two years ago but that’s gone cold.

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His agent Mino Raiola has been touting him around Europe with Liverpool’s blessing and he has been linked with a move to Besiktas.

However, the Turkish club’s sporting director Erdal Torunogullari says their priority is to keep hold of Germany international Mario Gomez. The search for a buyer goes on.

Luis Alberto

The Spanish midfielder hasn’t played for Liverpool since the 4-0 rout of Everton in January 2014 but there is a glimmer of hope for him.

On loan at Malaga in 2014/15, he spent last season at Deportivo La Coruna. The reviews were glowing as he scored six goals and provided seven assists in 29 appearances in La Liga.

Klopp was impressed by what he saw and Alberto will be welcomed back for pre-season. What happens next depends on how he performs and what kind of bids Liverpool receive for him.

Deportivo, Villarreal and Sevilla have all expressed an interest in buying the attacking midfielder who is valued around the £5million mark.

In the absence of a suitable offer, Alberto will stay put, most likely as a squad player.

Lazar Markovic

It’s a big summer for the £20million winger. His season on loan at Fenerbahce promised much but ultimately delivered little as a hamstring problem wrecked the second half of the campaign for him.

Liverpool were adamant when Markovic headed to Turkey a year ago that he had a future at Anfield with no option to buy included in the deal.

Fears persist that the 22-year-old Serbian is too lightweight to make the grade at Premier League level. During the 2014/15 season he flitted in and out of games too often but Klopp is short of genuine wide players and told the ECHO back in March that the door was open for Markovic.

“We had a little talk about things. I said at the start of pre-season you will be very welcome and then it’s up to you,” Klopp said.

“That is how it is in football. It’s a long pre-season and if he wants to come back to Liverpool in July he’s welcome.”

The former Benfica wideman needs to get himself fit and show what he’s made of.

Marko Grujic

Markovic will have a fellow Serbian for company on his return to Melwood after playing a part in the deal which brought Grujic to Anfield.

The 20-year-old centre midfielder sought guidance from Markovic prior to agreeing a £5.1million move to Liverpool from Red Star Belgrade in January and got a ringing endorsement.

Grujic, who was the first signing of Klopp’s reign, insisted on remaining in Belgrade on loan for the second half of last season in order to help his boyhood club clinch the title and he achieved that dream.

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Now he will start his Liverpool career and much is expected from the talented youngster who penned a four-year contract.

“Klopp’s vision is that I should be something between a No 6 and a No 10. What they call a box-to-box midfielder,” Grujic said.

“The players in Liverpool are phenomenal so I have to work on improving my physical strength. I have to become strong enough because I want to be able to go into a duel with anyone.”

Sergi Canos

The Spanish attacker was handed his senior debut by Klopp as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at West Brom on the final day of last season – a week after returning from a season-long loan at Brentford.

Canos, who joined the Reds’ Academy from Barcelona in 2013, benefited greatly from his stint with the Championship outfit as he scored seven league goals in 38 appearances.

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“It was the best 10 minutes of my life,” he told the ECHO after appearing at the Hawthorns.

“Today one of my dreams came true. I’ll be back for pre-season and ready to go 200%.”

However, the 19-year-old’s prospects no longer look so rosey. He is out of contract this summer and unless he reduces his £10,000 per week wage demands he could be sold on. Liverpool value Canos at around £4million.

Allan Rodrigues de Souza

The gifted young Brazilian midfielder joined the Reds from Internacional last September, but still does not yet qualify for a UK work permit.

Allan spent last season out on loan, first in Finland with SJK and then with Sint-Truidense in Belgium.

He is rated highly by Klopp, who spoke glowingly about the teenager earlier this year.

“I saw him in training and I thought ‘oh my God, what can we do to keep this boy here and bring him into the line-up?’,” Klopp said.

“He’s 19 years old, an outstanding talent, a good player with a good attitude, everybody loves him.”

However, Liverpool have no option but to loan him out again this season. There is interest in Allan from a host of European clubs and also from Mexico. The Reds must choose the right destination for him to continue his exciting development.

Liverpool hope Allan will gain sufficient experience over the next 12 months to qualify for a permit for the 2017/18 season in England.

Lloyd Jones

The Academy centre-back, who has yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, spent last season on loan at Blackpool.

However, the England youth international missed six months of the season with an ankle injury and only returned to action in March.

Difficult to see the 20-year-old forcing his way into Klopp’s plans for the 2016/17 campaign.

Jordan Williams

The young Welsh midfielder joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan but his campaign was wrecked by a knee injury last September.

He returned to Liverpool to do his rehab but didn’t make a comeback before the end of the season as he was hampered by fluid in his left knee.

Williams will be looking to put that behind him and get back to the form that led to a first-team debut in a League Cup tie with Middlesbrough in September 2014. But the clock is ticking if he’s going to make the grade at Liverpool.

Ryan Fulton

The Scotland Under-21s international keeper shone on loan at Portsmouth in the second half of last season as he clocked up 13 appearances for the League Two outfit.

With Loris Karius coming in to compete with Simon Mignolet and Danny Ward for the No 1 spot, another temporary move is on the cards for Fulton.

“Liverpool want me to go out on loan, which is great as it’s a chance for me to try to impress, but at the same time show my worth to Liverpool,” he said.

“Wherever I end up it could happen at the end of pre-season.”