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Liverpool defender Joel Matip stepped up his rehabilitation from injury by coming through a practice match behind closed doors at Melwood on Wednesday.

Matip hasn't featured for the first team since March and, having returned to fitness during pre-season, suffered a thigh problem that forced him home from the tour of the United States.

The centre-back was part of a 60-minute game involving senior players who didn't start Sunday's Premier League opener against West Ham United, who were joined by several Academy players.

Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring, Adam Lallana netted, Dominic Solanke bagged a brace and Daniel Sturridge tucked away a penalty as the team comprised mainly of senior players won 5-0.

Alberto Moreno – who failed to make the bench at the weekend – also featured in the game, along with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne.

The players who started the win over the Hammers had a separate workout.

Matip's return is a major boost for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who had only Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as available centre-backs for the start of the Premier League campaign.

Dejan Lovren is expected to be out for a month with a stomach complaint, while Ragnar Klavan is still carrying an injury.