The reception that used to greet Liverpool’s title-winning sides of yesteryear on the first day of pre-season, in the days before the Premier League, is the stuff of legend.

And they will find themselves back in the very place where the absence of one of their own is felt most deeply.

When the Reds start to arrive back in Kirkby on Tuesday, it will have been just five days since the tragic passing of their team-mate, the Anfield favourite, Diogo Jota.

And it will have been just three days since the majority of the squad were present in the Portuguese’s hometown of Gondomar to witness Jota, and his brother, being laid to rest.

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The pictures that came in from Portugal were heartbreaking, with the devastation on the faces of the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Federico Chiesa abundant for all to see.

Mohamed Salah was one of a handful of the squad absent from the funeral, but his own tribute to Jota was equally harrowing.

“I am truly lost for words.

The fact that Jota had been driving through Spain with his brother, Andre Silva, in order to catch a ferry back to England for the start of pre-season, makes their loss all the more cruel.

The first phase of Reds players had initially been due back at the AXA Training Centre on Friday (July 4) ahead of a larger contingent returning on Monday (July 7).

Yet Liverpool's Premier League title defence starts in 39 days at home to Bournemouth, while they are due at Wembley for the Community Shield against Crystal Palace in 35 days.

And their first pre-season friendly is currently set to take place at Preston North End in just six days’ time (Sunday, July 13).

While a decision on whether the Reds will fulfil that fixture will not be taken until all players and staff are consulted following their return to the AXA Training Centre, football stops for no-one, sadly.

The champions' preparations for the new campaign have to start at some point, whether they are ready for it or not.

The only blessing in the players' and staff's return to Kirkby this week is at least they will have each other.