Mohamed Salah and Liverpool return to action in Dubai - in pictures

Reds are beaten 3-1 by Lyon in Dubai Super Cup

Lyon defender Malo Gusto attempts to block Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah during their Dubai Super Cup clash at Al Maktoum Stadium on December 11, 2022. AFP

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah greets supporters in Dubai. AFP

Mohamed Salah watches as Lyon's players celebrate scoring. AFP

Lyon's players celebrate scoring a goal. AFP

Lyon's French defender Malo Gusto and Liverpool's Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas battle for the ball. AFP

Lyon's Malo Gusto tries to stop Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas. AFP

Malo Gusto challenges Mohamed Salah. AFP

Lyon's Castello Lukeba in action with Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho. Reuters

Lyon's French defender Malo Gusto challenges Liverpool's Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino. AFP

Malo Gusto and Kostas Tsimikas jump for a header in the Dubai Super Cup. AFP

Liverpool's James Milner up against Lyon's Brazilian defender Henrique. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp watches the action. Reuters

Liverpool players during the penalty shoot out. Reuters

Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their third goal. Reuters

Liverpool's Jake Cain in action. Reuters

Lyon's Corentin Tolisso in action with Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic. Reuters

Lyon's Henrique in action with Liverpool's James Milner. Reuters

Liverpool fans inside the stadium in Dubai. Reuters

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were beaten 3-1 in their opening Dubai Super Cup contest against Lyon on Sunday.

The Reds are building up for the return of club football after the World Cup, with their League Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester City first up on December 22 before the Premier League restarts on Boxing Day.

Liverpool were without a host of World Cup stars in Dubai, including Jordan Henderson, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, but Mohamed Salah took part against French Ligue 1 Lyon at Al Maktoum Stadium, home of Al Nasr.

Fabio Carvalho gave Liverpool an early lead, but Lyon hit back with two goals from Alexandre Lacazette and one from Bradley Barcola.

The Reds were then beaten 5-3 in a penalty shootout, which took its traditional place despite the 90-minute result.

The Reds are in the Middle East for a warm weather training camp, and they will also face Italian giants AC Milan on Friday.

Images from the match can be seen in the gallery above.